In a significant legal ruling, Kristie Higgs, a former school worker, was reinstated after the U.K. Court of Appeal determined her firing was an unlawful act of discrimination.

According to the Christian Post, The appeal court judged that dismissing Higgs for her online remarks about LGBT materials at her son's school was a disproportionate action.

Kristie Higgs, aged 48, was a dedicated student counseling assistant at Farmor’s School in Fairford, Gloucestershire, where she worked for over seven years. Her career at the school came to an abrupt end in 2019 after she was terminated following a complaint about her social media activity.

Concerned about the introduction of LGBT themes in her son’s Church of England primary school, Higgs turned to Facebook to express her disapproval. She criticized the school’s use of storybooks that promoted diversity, which she claimed conflicted with her Christian beliefs.

The posts, made under her maiden name and without mentioning her employer, sparked an anonymous complaint, alleging that her expressions could bring the school into disrepute, leading to her suspension and eventual dismissal on grounds of "gross misconduct."

Initial Tribunal Supports School's Decision

The case first went to an employment tribunal in April 2019, where the decision to dismiss Higgs was upheld. The tribunal agreed with the school that her posts could potentially harm its reputation. However, this was challenged on appeal.

Higgs's legal battle continued as she argued that her Facebook activities were exercises of her freedom of speech and religious expression. She conveyed that she remained professional at all times, treating all students equally, regardless of their gender identity.

Court of Appeal Reverses Earlier Judgment

In a turnaround, the U.K. Court of Appeal found that there was no evidence that Higgs’ posts had damaged the school’s reputation. They ruled that her dismissal was not only disproportionate but also discriminatory based on her Christian beliefs.

This landmark judgment emphasized that the Equality Act protects expressions of traditional Christian beliefs. It establishes a significant precedent that any dismissal under similar circumstances would be illegal unless objectively justified.

The Christian Legal Centre, which supported Higgs throughout her legal journey, hailed the decision as “groundbreaking.” They pointed out that the case reshapes the legal landscape concerning religious freedom in the workplace.

Responses to the Court's Decision

Kristie Higgs welcomed the ruling, saying, “Employers will no longer be able to discipline employees for expressing their beliefs, based just on unsubstantial fears of reputational damage.” She emphasized that this establishes a protective standard for Christians in the UK to freely express their beliefs.

“This is not just about me. Too many Christians have faced consequences at work because of their faith,” Higgs added, reflecting on the broader implications of her case for religious expression in the workplace.

Andrea William, CEO of the Christian Legal Centre, commented on the case by noting, “Ideological censorship in the workplace is now clearly illegal.” She added, “Expressing biblical Christian teaching on gender and sexuality might be offensive to some, but Christians have the right to express their beliefs publicly.”

A New Standard Set for Workplace Religious Freedom

Higgs concluded her statements with a hopeful note for the future, “I pray that today marks a landmark day for Christian freedoms and free speech.” She also shared her gratitude towards God and her supporters, acknowledging their role in her victory.

“Expressing biblical truth is not discriminatory. It is an expression of love and light,” said Higgs, summarizing her view on the balance between religious beliefs and public expression.

This case highlights a critical tension between religious freedom and the secular interests of educational institutions, setting a precedent for how similar instances might be handled in the future.