A Christian working as a manager at a housing association in Manchester, United Kingdom received a demotion and massive pay cut due to comments he made regarding homosexual civil partnerships on Facebook.
Adrian Smith shared a news headline link to his Facebook page concerning gay church marriages being given the go head, to which he added a personal comment: “An equality too far.”
His comment was read by two colleagues who asked him to explain. Mr Smith replied that the state “should not impose its rules on places of faith and conscience”.
The colleagues then complained to their employers at Trafford Housing Trust, who launched an investigation and disciplinary proceedings against Mr Smith. The decision was taken to cut his salary by 40 per cent and demote him from his managerial position.
Despite the comments being made on Mr Smith’s personal page and outside of work hours, the organisation said his remarks damaged their reputation and amounted to gross misconduct.
Mr Smith was informed he escaped dismissal only because of his loyal service over 18 years.
Mr Smith appealed the decision, but it was upheld by senior managers. He has now decided to take the Trust to court, citing unlawful interference with his rights to free speech and religious liberty.
Mr Smith is being supported by the Christian Institute and solicitor Tom Ellis, of the Manchester-based law firm Aughton Ainsworth in his challenge, reports ChristianityToday.com.
Mr Ellis argued that his client had left bereft of all other choices than to seek justice in the court system.
“As a Christian, Adrian believes in the values of fairness, courtesy and respect for the opinions of others," said Mr Ellis.
"These are the values of a mature and healthy society. Surely that leaves room for colleagues to discuss and even disagree about the topics of the day. Conversations like that happen in offices and factories up and down the country every day.
“Nothing he said was offensive or abusive. His comments were calm, measured and reasonable. Adrian has been treated disproportionately and even those who disagree with his opinions will surely agree that he has been treated unfairly.”
Mike Judge, of The Christian Institute, added Mr Smith’s comments regarding civil partnerships were “tame and inoffensive” and that he had been the victim of a “witch hunt”.
“The comments certainly don’t amount to gross misconduct, which is usually reserved for things like theft or fraud,” he insisted.
“His bosses should get some sense of perspective.
“Employers have a responsibility to protect the rights of their staff – and that includes their Christian staff.
“One set of rights should not trump another. It looks to me like there has been some sort of witch hunt against Mr Smith because of his Christian views.”