Should Peaceful Protestors....

[agchristie]

be able to attend marches without fear of being hauled over the coals or even sacked by their employer?

I have frequently heard people stating that they would be if they were found out. Should one be penalised for having a passionate belief and their actions are lawful?

[woofgang]

Unless there is something in the T and C of employment, or the protestors take unauthorised time from work, then its unlawful to sack or discipline employees for the beliefs they hold or for their behaviour outside of work, unless that behaviour can bring their employer into disrepute or poses other risks or is illegal...so eg you can sack someone for fraud even if the fraud was not committed against the company or for drug abuse.
As an ex NHS manager, I would never have penalised anyone for their beliefs unless those beliefs caused them to behave inappropriately while at work.

[agchristie]

Thanks for that woofgang.