Stedman v. United Kingdom, dec., No. 29107/95, ECommHR (First Chamber), 9 April 1997

The dismissal of a worker, motivated for his repeated refusal to work during the holidays of his religious confession, does not breach art. 9 of the ECHR

Art. 9 ECHR

Article 9 of the ECHR does not guarantee, as such, the right of the worker to take time off from work on religious holidays or in certain time slots. Therefore, the dismissal of a catholic worker, motivated by her refusal to work on Sundays cannot be protected by the right to religious freedom. On the other hand, the employer's request to respect working hours does not represent any form of pressure or a coercive measure aimed at making her change her religious belief.