Could Veganism and Religion Be Treated The Same? UK in Landmark Decision

Ever considered veganism and religion to be one and the same thing? In a new case, ethical vegan, Jordi Casamitjana in the United Kingdom claims he was discriminated against because of his faith to the employment tribunal. 

Jordi, who worked for the League Against Cruel Sports (LACS) claims he was discriminated when he discovered that his employer was investing employee pension funds into companies who animal tested, going directly against his belief system as a vegan. The company then fired him after discovering he had disclosed this information to other employees. 
The League Against Cruel Sports says he was dismissed for gross misconduct.

“Some people only eat a vegan diet but they don’t care about the environment or the animals, they only care about their health,” he told the BBC.

Veganism and Religion 

His solicitor, Peter Daly, of Bindmans LLP, also told the BBC: “If we are successful, we will achieve a judgment which formally recognises the protected status of ethical veganism and which could then be used as the basis to combat discrimination against vegans in employment, in the provision of goods and services, and in education.

“This is therefore a landmark case.”

The employment tribunal now has to decide if being an ethical vegan is akin to a ‘philosophical belief’ which would carry the same protections as religion, protecting a persons right to faith in the workplace, and not to be discriminated again. 

What do you think, is veganism and religion the same faith-based system? should it be protected under the law? Let us know in the comments. 

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