Fired for using the wrong pronouns
Two cases have been highlight overseas recently where a Christian employee has been fired for declining to use the “preferred pronoun” of a person who identifies as a different gender to their biological sex. The cases illustrate that religious freedom, and free speech generally, in the workplace can be under challenge in circumstances involving “gender identity” issues. It is not clear how such cases would be resolved in Australia. UK- Dr David Mackereth In the first case, Mackereth v Department for Work and Pensions (ET: Case Number: 1304602/2018; 26 Sept, 2019), in the UK, Dr David Mackereth, an experienced health care professional, had taken on a contract position as a Health and Disabilities Assessor (“HDA”) on behalf of the Department for Work and Pensions (“DWP”), undertaking assessments of clients and potential clients of the Department. His position commenced in May 2018, and at an early stage he was required to attend an induction session for new physicians.