An Employment Tribunal ruled in late March that the employer of a senior occupational therapist in London was justified in disciplining her for giving a Christian book to a Muslim colleague.
Victoria Wasteney worked as an occupational therapist at the East London NHS Foundation Trust for eight years and had an exemplary record. However, she was accused of ‘harassing and bullying’ her Muslim colleague for giving her a book about a Muslim woman’s encounter with Christianity. And even though the colleague had given her consent, senior managers also told Miss Wasteney that she was wrong to pray with her and invite her to church events.
An internal disciplinary panel in February 2014 found her guilty of three charges of misconduct related to the accusations and Miss Wasteney was suspended (on full pay) for nine months. She also had to accept a range of rulings designed to stop her discussing her faith and beliefs with colleagues.
