The religious discrimination case of an Exeter nurse, who was refused permission to wear a crucifix to work, begins at the European Court of Human Rights today.
Shirley Chaplain took early retirement after losing an employment tribunal in 2010.
She had worn a cross around her neck throughout her 30 year nursing career, including many years on the wards at Exeter RD&E.
But in 2009 the hospital trust said her crucifix necklace breached health and safety guidelines when worn with the new V-neck style tunics because a patient could grab it.
The trust said she could have put the cross under her uniform, but she felt that she was being asked to hide her faith in a way that was disrespectful.. she was redeployed from front-line duties and later took early retirement.
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