Janet Parker, a 55-year-old non-Catholic church accountant, successfully sued the Clifton diocese in Bristol for religious discrimination, harassment, and unfair dismissal. The dispute began in 2020 after she requested leave to care for her newly adopted daughter and later flexible working, leading to a 'witch-hunt' and her sacking. A tribunal ruled in her favor, though the diocese is appealing.
Church accountant discriminated against by diocese in Bristol for being non-Catholic
CatholicismUKEnglandBristolAdoption
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Janet Parker, a 55-year-old non-Catholic church accountant, successfully sued the Clifton diocese in Bristol for religious discrimination, harassment, and unfair dismissal. The dispute began in 2020 after she requested leave to care for her newly adopted daughter and later flexible working, leading to a 'witch-hunt' and her sacking. A tribunal ruled in her favor, though the diocese is appealing.
Trending- 1 2020: Janet Parker asked for leave to care for her newly adopted daughter.
- 2 2021: Her request for flexible working was refused, and she complained, referencing the Catholic church's treatment of vulnerable children.
- 3 After 2021: Parker claimed to be subjected to a 'witch-hunt' and was sacked from her role.
- 4 April last year: A tribunal ruled in Parker's favor, finding discrimination, harassment, and unfair dismissal.
- 5 March this year: ICAEW held a disciplinary hearing regarding abusive messages Parker allegedly sent, issuing a caution.
- 6 Ongoing: The Clifton diocese is appealing the judgment.
- Janet Parker won her claims against the diocese
- ICAEW issued a caution to Parker over abusive messages
- Diocese is appealing the judgment
- Parker has not yet received compensation
What: Janet Parker, a non-Catholic accountant, won claims against the Clifton diocese for religious discrimination, harassment, and unfair dismissal.
When: 2020 (asked for adoption leave); 2021 (flexible working refused); April last year (tribunal ruled in her favor); March this year (disciplinary hearing by ICAEW).
Where: Bristol, England; Clifton diocese.
Why: Parker was discriminated against for being non-Catholic (atheist) after she challenged the diocese's approach to her flexible working request and referenced the Catholic church's history with vulnerable children.
How: The diocese refused Parker's flexible working request, then subjected her to a 'witch-hunt' for alleged professional negligence, leading to her sacking. A tribunal judge described the investigation as 'derisory in its depth, unbalanced and focused on establishing fault'.