Teachers who have affairs should be protected by law, equalities watchdog says

Teachers who have affairs should be protected by law, equalities watchdog says

eachers who have affairs should be protected by law Tand must not be sacked, the equalities watchdog hassaid.

Rules that allow divorced, gay and lesbian teachers to be banned from working in faith schools should also be re-considered, a report published by the Equalities and Human Rights Commission (EHRC) found. 

The report, published this month, said that certain sections of the School Standards Framework Act (SSFA) do not comply with requirements under the EU Employment Equality Directive. 

It said that provisions drawn up for head teachers of faith schools, which include considering their  "fitness to preserve and develop the religious character" of the school are "too broad". 

These provisions “seem to permit a Catholic school to dismiss a gay or lesbian teacher, a divorced teacher or a married teacher conducting a relationship outside of marriage”.

The report, titled “Religion or belief: is the law working?” said a change in the law may be necessary to ensure that "teachers are able to pursue their careers without unjustifiable limitations being placed upon them”.