A recent tribunal has backed an Anglican school’s decision to dismiss a Catholic educator after he shared his views on sensitive topics like same-sex marriage, abortion, and Sharia law during a diversity training session.
Background of the Case
Ben Dybowski, who taught at The Bishop of Llandaff Church in Wales High School near Cardiff, was let go following an event aimed at promoting diversity and inclusion in March 2023.
After the training, Dybowski argued that his religious beliefs had led to discrimination against him when he questioned if his stance—that marriage should be exclusively between a man and a woman, that life begins at conception, and that abortion signifies the loss of innocent life—could be seen as discriminatory.
The Cardiff tribunal took into account Dybowski’s critical remarks on certain aspects of Sharia law as well.
During the training, a facilitator informed him that while he had the right to his beliefs, stating them might be construed as discriminatory.
School’s Response and Policies
Following complaints from colleagues, Dybowski was called in for a meeting with the headteacher, Marc Belli.
In this discussion, he acknowledged that he had shared similar opinions on social media.
Belli reminded him of the school’s policies regarding online conduct and the guidelines set by the Education Workforce Council (EWC), which underscored how public declarations could negatively impact both students and staff in a diverse educational setting.
The tribunal proceedings revealed that Dybowski was not only outspoken about his beliefs but also actively campaigned and debated these issues with students and staff.
This behavior ultimately contributed to his dismissal.
Tribunal Decision
In the tribunal’s decision, it affirmed the school’s right to regulate the expression of Christian beliefs within its walls, asserting that this aligns with the institution’s core values.
While Dybowski’s stances on marriage, abortion, and gender identity fell under the protections of the Equality Act 2010, his critiques of Sharia law were deemed personal opinions, lacking the same level of protection.
Judge Samantha Moore concluded that Belli’s assessment—that Dybowski could not be trusted to engage in suitable discussions with students—was reasonable.
She noted that, although individuals have a right to their beliefs, they must also comply with social norms that guard against discrimination and harassment.
Additionally, she pointed out that The Bishop of Llandaff Church in Wales High School was justified in regulating how beliefs are conveyed, especially given the inherent power imbalance between teachers and students, which could put students in vulnerable positions.
Source: Premierchristian.news
