Workplace and employment speech
The Free Speech Union has covered 161 stories on this topic. Browse our coverage below.
18 April 2026
A year on from the Supreme Court Ruling, gender-critical voices are still being silenced
One year on from the Supreme Court’s landmark ruling on biological sex, gender-critical voices are still being silenced in workplaces, universities, and public bodies across Britain.
13 April 2026
NHS nurse who called trans paedophile prisoner ‘Mr’ wins settlement
Jennifer Melle, an NHS nurse from south London, has settled with her Trust after being suspended for calling a transgender paedophile patient ‘Mr’, citing her Christian faith. She continues to face two ongoing NMC investigations.
8 April 2026
NHS nurse of 42 years faced losing her honorary Queen’s Nurse title after being reported for gender-critical posts on X
Karen Webb, a specialist NHS nurse with 42 years of service, faced losing her honorary Queen’s Nurse title after a colleague reported her for gender-critical posts on X. The Free Speech Union intervened — and won.
8 April 2026
Research biologist at the University of Oxford almost silenced by trans activists within the biology department
Dr Ace North, a research biologist at Oxford, faced disciplinary proceedings after countering gender identity ideology displays in his department with quotes from gender-critical scientists. The FSU secured written assurances protecting his right to hold gender-critical beliefs.
16 March 2026
Police Federation drops legal challenge in free speech row involving two former police chiefs
The Police Federation of England and Wales has dropped its legal challenge against a High Court ruling which found PC Rick Prior and PS Richard Cooke were unlawfully treated.
28 February 2026
Judge rules that Christian social worker who had his job offer withdrawn was discriminated against
A landmark ruling finds that a mental health charity unlawfully discriminated against Christian social worker Felix Ngole by withdrawing a job offer over his biblical views on marriage.
4 February 2026
Jazz lecturer 'forced out' after challenging critical race theory
Jazz lecturer Martin Speake was effectively cancelled after questioning critical race theory — now he's taking Trinity Laban to an employment tribunal with FSU's support.
1 February 2026
Free speech victory as High Court rules Police Federation unlawfully treated PC Prior and PC Cooke
The High Court has ruled that the Police Federation of England and Wales acted unlawfully in suspending two elected FSU members over public remarks on race and policing.
2 January 2026
FSU dealt with 211 cases where people got in trouble with the police or employers for social media posts in 2025
In 2025, the Free Speech Union handled 211 cases in which people got into trouble — either with their employer or the police — for words said on social media. Here are some of the most striking.
28 December 2025
Teacher who showed his class videos of President Trump referred to the Government’s counter-terrorism programme
18 December 2025
School teacher sacked for telling a Muslim pupil that Britain is a Christian country
15 December 2025
Ex-Royal Marine Jamie Michael banned from working with children after referring to Southport murderer as a “creature”
8 December 2025
Royal Marine veteran banned from coaching his daughter’s football team over his ‘right-wing’ views
4 December 2025
NHS nurse suspended for calling trans paedophile “Mr”
22 November 2025
Ex BBC journalist speaks about being forced out of BBC News for gender-critical views
16 August 2025
Police gag order against union activist overturned in free speech case
4 August 2025
Teacher sacked after criticising ‘two-tier justice’ in Lucy Connolly case
30 July 2025
Rev Dr Bernard Randall still barred from ministry, six years after delivering a sermon on CofE teaching
15 July 2025
Shopped Stewards: Why today’s trade unions police speech instead of protecting workers – and how to fix it
19 June 2025
The employment tribunal system is cracking – help stop the ‘banter ban’ from breaking it beyond repair
9 June 2025
Victory for free speech as Supreme Court shuts down final appeal in Kristie Higgs case
4 June 2025
Publisher settles case after claiming she was ‘hounded out’ over gender-critical views
27 May 2025
FSU victory: Bar Standards Board drops controversial “advance EDI” duty
22 May 2025
Employee sacked for liking Facebook video reinstated after FSU intervention
22 May 2025
Lord Young tables amendments to safeguard free expression of political views at work
19 May 2025
Lords pressure Rayner to protect Right-wing views at work
10 May 2025
Help firefighter Dafydd Roberts fight back after a devastating legal injustice.
7 May 2025
Gay railway station volunteer banned over gender-critical views
6 May 2025
FSU Wins Major Employment Tribunal Victory
6 May 2025
Survey reveals widespread self-censorship and intimidation in UK arts sector
5 May 2025
Staff at London bathing ponds gagged from discussing landmark women’s rights ruling
11 April 2025
Police officers taught they have white privilege – after force found guilty of anti-white discrimination
2 April 2025
Reform UK donor joins Free Speech Union after OBE threat
1 April 2025
Academics sue their own union for campaigning against them
25 March 2025
The treatment of Charlie Mullins proves that there’s no free speech if you’re Right-wing
24 March 2025
Believing in meritocracy is ‘racist microaggression’, polar scientists told
24 March 2025
“I condemned the Oct 7 massacre. It cost me my job”
24 March 2025
NHS nurse punished for calling transgender paedophile ‘Mr’
22 March 2025
Scientist forced out over gender beliefs wins two-year legal battle
21 March 2025
Christian teacher who said ‘LGBT is a sin’ loses court battle
21 March 2025
Home Office worker sacked for sharing post by Reform UK MP Richard Tice
18 March 2025
Police Federation sued by London branch chairman in free speech row
16 March 2025
FSU member suspended by Waitrose for tweeting Conservative views
14 March 2025
Tribunal rejects ex-Met officer’s ‘numpty’ discrimination claim
12 March 2025
Victory for free speech: FCA and PRA abandon plans to regulate “lack of diversity” as a “non-financial risk”
12 March 2025
WhatsApp work “banter” not private, tribunal rules
6 March 2025
City lawyer who called colleague “Jabba the Hutt” ordered to pay £30,000
4 March 2025
Council bans staff from using the term ‘hard-working families’ in case it offends jobless
17 February 2025
NHS Nurse faces threatened with sack after ‘misgendering’ row
17 February 2025
NHS Trust warns Doctors that calling disabled people “inspiring” is a “microaggression”
13 February 2025
Judges back Christian sacked for Facebook posts
12 February 2025
Higgs v Farmor’s School: a landmark moment for workplace free speech
10 February 2025
Tourism quango declares ‘able-bodied’ harmful, advises ‘non-disabled’ instead
10 February 2025
Trade union accused of silencing women by pushing trans-rights agenda
7 February 2025
Reform councillor reprimanded after calling mental health ‘modern bad back excuse’
4 February 2025
Obese people not obese any more, according to NICE
30 January 2025
Another teenage footballer banned for asking if trans opponents were men
27 January 2025
Nurse wins right to refer to transgender Doctor as male in legal battle
27 January 2025
Police Told to Avoid Saying ‘Black Sheep’ and ‘Pregnant Woman’ in EDI Speech Code
26 January 2025
Whitehall’s Biggest Departments Dump Stonewall Diversity Scheme
23 January 2025
NHS seeking to ban a nurse from using the ‘wrong’ pronouns about a transgender doctor
17 January 2025
Police inspector sacked for comparing Just Stop Oil to “special needs kids”
17 January 2025
Tories forced MP’s elderly mother to do diversity training after she liked immigration post
14 January 2025
Bar Council Chair warns new EDI Duty could undermine barristers’ independence
14 January 2025
Pubs could curb free speech to avoid legal risks under Labour’s Workers’ Rights Bill
13 January 2025
Civil Service to revise transgender policies following whistleblower settlement
12 January 2025
Nurse who complained about trans woman wins right for her case to be heard in public
10 January 2025
Reform member Saba Poursaeedi suing ex-employer for political discrimination after he was fired over links to the party
8 January 2025
Royal College chief “deeply sorry” for accidentally following Tommy Robinson on X
30 December 2024
Don’t say “blacklist” or “blackout”, pharmacists told
19 December 2024
FSU case success over single-sex toilets comment
13 December 2024
Baroness facing suspension for calling fellow peer “Lord Poppadom”
10 December 2024
Christianity has become the ultimate offence – and now a sackable one
9 December 2024
As Town Hall chiefs get permission to hike council taxes, now 'cash-strapped' SNP local authority shells out on 'woke' staff training
5 December 2024
Pro-Brexit views are not protected philosophical beliefs, tribunal rules
4 December 2024
Church of England spending “excessively” on HR and diversity officers, report warns
4 December 2024
Police officer dismissed for gross misconduct
2 December 2024
A shadow HR empire runs Britain – and it’s getting bigger
30 November 2024
Unknowingly using words people perceive as ‘offensive’ can be harassment, judge says
28 November 2024
Civil servant ‘railroaded to resign for Reform reposts on Facebook’
27 November 2024
BBC staff urged by union to wear Palestinian flag colours and a keffiyeh
26 November 2024
How your work WhatsApp group can get you sacked
12 November 2024
Key figures at world’s oldest breastfeeding charity quit over shift to gender ideology
10 November 2024
Buckingham vice-chancellor’s allies blame woke backlash for suspension
8 November 2024
Woman hounded out of rape crisis centre over gender critical beliefs to receive £70,000
23 October 2024
Met Police constable sacked for offensive tweets about Jewish and non-Muslim people
23 October 2024
Saying “millennials” is offensive, civil service told
23 October 2024
Teacher struck-off after questioning school’s gender identity policy
16 October 2024
Samaritans suspends volunteer who criticised trans activists
15 October 2024
How the Stonewall gravy train came to an end
10 October 2024
Police federation suspends Met chair after GB News interview about officers’ racism fears
7 October 2024
The Open University publishes disappointing report on gender-critical professor Jo Phoenix’s Employment Tribunal
2 October 2024
UK Court of Appeal confirms date for hearing involving the FSU
28 September 2024
University professor sacked for questioning puberty blockers for gender confused children
17 September 2024
Gender-neutral dog row led to harassment of lesbian worker, tribunal hears
12 September 2024
Employer drops workplace disciplinary over social media posts following FSU intervention
31 August 2024
FSU writes to Bank of England over staff instruction that not sharing pronouns is a “microaggression”
13 August 2024
Justin Welby “plainly wrong” over “egregious” blacklisting of gender critical chaplain
7 August 2024
New Zealand nurse targeted over conservative views on transgender issues
4 August 2024
Council admits discriminating against social worker over her gender-critical views
28 July 2024
State Library Victoria surveyed presenters’ social media for political content before terminating contracts, emails show.
25 July 2024
Gender critical barrister loses appeal against Stonewall
8 July 2024
The scourge of EDI
4 July 2024
Dial ‘M’ for microaggression, as law firm launches “interactional bias” hotline
25 June 2024
Why even ‘woke’ companies are turning their backs on HR ‘snake-oil’ sellers
8 June 2024
JK Rowling backs NI woman’s bid to sue employer over gender critical belief discrimination
4 June 2024
Amazon EDI training compelling staff to use preferred pronouns “at work and in your personal life”
4 June 2024
Regulatory body for speech therapists chilling free speech around gender ideology and critical race theory
1 June 2024
French Ligue 1 footballer banned for refusing to wear LGBT themed matchday shirt
30 May 2024
Lecturer sacked from Bible college for saying ‘homosexuality is invading the Church’
29 May 2024
NHS staff told to apologise for using ‘wrong’ pronouns
22 May 2024
Even rape-crisis centres are in hock to trans activists
20 May 2024
Legal victory for gender critical worker subjected to “heresy hunt” at trans inclusive rape crisis centre
19 May 2024
FSU member Eleanor Frances “forced out” of Whitehall over gender critical beliefs
16 May 2024
“Hypersensitive” Japanese professor who sued British university for racism after boss spoke to her about sushi has case thrown out
16 May 2024
NHS bosses destroy careers of whistle-blowers who stand up to protect patients’ lives
8 May 2024
RE Teacher suspended after saying Hamas ‘committed no crime’
6 May 2024
Inside the plot to take back control from diversity zealots
5 May 2024
Breastfeeding charity suspends trustees who want to ban trans women from its services
3 May 2024
Teacher banned over misgendering pupil “had free speech right infringed”
2 May 2024
Stonewall’s guidance on gender doesn’t stand up to law
29 April 2024
Debt-laden universities terminating hundreds of lecturers, but appointing ‘woke’ EDI staff
29 April 2024
Social worker suspended over gender critical views awarded £58,000
29 April 2024
What to do when you’re cancelled
25 April 2024
EDI is divisive, counter-productive and encourages groupthink
24 April 2024
The human cost of cancel culture
23 April 2024
NSPCC whistleblower quits charity over trans grooming row
22 April 2024
“I’m a woman of colour. DEI is just woke indoctrination”
17 April 2024
UK Physiotherapist Leaders Announce Goal To “Eradicate” Critics Of Gender Ideology From The Profession
7 April 2024
BSB will not investigate barrister over misgendering trans lawyers
4 April 2024
Trans boss accused of “heresy hunt” against gender-critical employee
3 April 2024
Christian social worker sues NHS-backed care firm after “being denied job for anti-LGBTQ+ views”
1 April 2024
Diversity training “forces workers to hide beliefs” for fear of losing job
30 March 2024
Disciplinary action for ONS female employees if they object to trans colleagues using their lavatories
29 March 2024
Civil servant sued over gender critical beliefs has case dropped.
26 March 2024
Teacher’s trans row employment tribunal collapses over anti-Tory slurs
23 March 2024
How activism swept the ‘impartial’ civil service
22 March 2024
The EDI Tax: How Equity, Diversity and Inclusion is Hobbling British Businesses
20 March 2024
Britain’s diversity drive is counterproductive and has backfired, says Kemi Badenoch
20 March 2024
Gender critical teacher tells tribunal he was sacked after refusing to use trans student’s preferred pronouns
18 March 2024
Teacher sacked after refusing to treat eight-year-old biological female as a boy over welfare concerns
15 March 2024
The rise of the woke bureaucracy
7 March 2024
FSU invited to intervene in Supreme Court case
4 March 2024
AstraZeneca under fire after LGBT+ staff group issue training saying “sex is not binary”
27 February 2024
“Most qualified person should get the job” is microaggression, Russell Group universities say
20 February 2024
School chaplain sacked and reported to terrorist watchdog for identity politics sermon begins appeal
17 February 2024
Housing association suspends peer over Hamas “murderers” comment
17 February 2024
Multiple Sclerosis society defends staff who sacked 90-year-old volunteer for asking questions about preferred pronouns
11 February 2024
Military risks "moral disarmament" due to "lunacy of pushing woke ideas", former flag officers warn
6 February 2024
Bristol University professor sacked for anti-Zionist views was unfairly dismissed, tribunal finds
2 February 2024
Why is the civil service being given lessons on ‘microaggressions’?
1 February 2024
Rolling your eyes is a microaggression but nodding your head won’t harm colleagues, civil servants told
31 January 2024
FSU responds to FCA and PRA consultations on diversity and inclusion proposals
31 January 2024
FSU secures favourable outcome for sacked Council worker
30 January 2024
BBC told don’t hire candidates who are “dismissive” about diversity and inclusion
29 January 2024
“Everyone matters” but “no time for TERFs”: Network Rail’s LGBT+ Chair responds to criticism of company’s new ‘Pride Pillar’
29 January 2024
Trans staff may be triggered by census data, government statistics body feared
27 January 2024
Academic sacked for “serious misconduct” following Greta Thunberg tweet
27 January 2024
Psychologist Jordan Peterson forced to undergo “political re-education” by professional regulator
24 January 2024
Yes, employees have the right to be gender critical
11 January 2024
Free Speech Union secures £800,000 damages for member sacked in workplace free speech row
