Tribunal Rules that Veganism is a Philosophical Belief and is Protected by Law

By Kimberley Wallace

Senior HR Consultant

A tribunal has just found ethical veganism is considered as a philosophical belief. It is therefore a belief that is protected in law.

Jordi Casamitjana says he was dismissed for gross misconduct by his employer, the League Against Cruel Sports, because of his ethical veganism. He was dismissed after disclosing to his colleagues that the League invested its pension funds in companies involved in animal testing.

This tribunal ruling means that ethical vegans will be entitled to similar legal protections in British workplaces as those who hold religious beliefs. Religion/belief is one of the nine protected characteristics which is protected under The Equality Act 2010. 

An ethical vegan is one who excludes all forms of animal exploitation, for example by avoiding leather and wool clothing, or avoids companies whose products are tested on animals.

Further information can be found on the Sky news website