Employment Offer Withdrawn Over Religious Beliefs on Homosexuality and Same-Sex Marriage

 

Overview

A mental health charity retracted a job offer from a Christian social worker in the UK due to concerns regarding his stance on homosexuality and same-sex marriage, fearing potential repercussions for vulnerable clients, revealed the organization's HR director at a tribunal.

Allegations of Discrimination:

Felix Ngole, 46, alleges discrimination by Touchstone Leeds, claiming that the organization refused him a job based on his religious convictions. The position in question was for a hospital discharge mental health support worker in Wakefield, West Yorkshire, in 2022.

Performance and References:

During the tribunal, Kathryn Hart, the charity's director of people and culture, highlighted Ngole's exceptional performance during his interview, where he outshone other candidates. However, concerns arose when references for Ngole were deemed insufficient, prompting further investigation.

Impact of Online Articles:

Upon researching Ngole's name, a colleague discovered news articles detailing his legal battle with Sheffield University over social media posts on homosexuality. This revelation raised concerns given the vulnerable nature of the clients Ngole would be working with, especially those from the LGBT community.

Potential Consequences on Service Users:

Hart expressed concerns that knowledge of Ngole's beliefs, as revealed in the articles, could negatively affect service users, particularly those from the LGBT community, potentially leading to distress or even rehospitalization.

Impact on Organizational Ethos:

Hart emphasized the importance of maintaining alignment between employee values and organizational ethos, fearing that employing someone with conflicting values could undermine client trust and the success of the organization's services.

Meeting with Ngole:

Following the revelations, Ngole was invited for a meeting to assess the compatibility of his beliefs with Touchstone's ethos and the requirements of the role. However, concerns were raised during the meeting regarding Ngole's ability to fulfill the job's needs and his engagement with equality training.

Perceived Misalignment of Values:

Hart expressed skepticism about Ngole's alignment with Touchstone's anti-discriminatory stance, citing discrepancies between his beliefs and the organization's values.

Ngole's Response:

Ngole defended his ability to work with the LGBT community while maintaining his personal beliefs, emphasizing the distinction between respecting individuals and disagreeing with their views or behaviors.

Ongoing Tribunal Proceedings:

The tribunal, which continues, has seen Ngole deny claims that his employment could lead to harm for service users. Ngole, a devout Christian, asserts direct and indirect discrimination by Touchstone and harassment, claiming his beliefs were unfairly targeted.