Women who believe in ‘white male privilege' protected from discrimination
Believing in the notion that white men have an 'unseen advantage' because of their gender and race is a legally protected belief, akin to veganism or gender-critical feminism.
The ruling comes in the case of self-proclaimed feminist Misti Kilburn, a senior HR manager suing a global manufacturing company for belief and sex discrimination.
Ms Kilburn stopped working for the company in November 2023 and began proceedings in February the following year.
She is claiming for discrimination, as well as unfair dismissal, wrongful dismissal and victimisation.
A genuine belief system
The tribunal found that Ms Kilburn's views on white male privilege amounted to a genuine belief system that affords protection under discrimination laws.
Employment Judge George Alliott said: 'It was clear to us, and we find, that [Ms Kilburn] does genuinely believe that white middle-aged men have an inherent advantage, in particular in the workplace, and that women remain disadvantaged, in particular in the workplace.
'We accept that many would subscribe to the view that in the workplace white middle-aged men have an advantage and women are disadvantaged.'
Judge Alliott also said the court took note of the fact that 'glass ceilings' for women are often referred to in political debate and demonstrated by reference to the under-representation of women on the boards of FTSE 100 companies.
He added: 'That said, such views, in our judgment, represent the reflection of, at least, the perceived reality where unfairness in the workplace needs to be acknowledged and addressed by equality in the workplace and the promotion of women's rights.
'It is how [Ms Kilburn] perceives the world.'
'The future is female'
The preliminary hearing in Watford was told that Ms Kilburn started working for Sensient Technologies Corporation in July 2014.
The business is a global manufacturer and marketer of colourants, flavours and other speciality ingredients.
The hearing was told Ms Kilburn held the philosophical belief that 'white middle-aged men have an unseen, unconscious advantage or privilege in many public and private areas of their life by consequence of their gender, age and race'.
She also said: 'Women remain disadvantaged in many public and private areas of their life and that factors such as ethnicity and age affect women's experience and the types of disadvantage to which they might be subject'.
The panel found that Ms Kilburn promoted equality in both her work and private life and even referred to a gift given to her by a colleague, which read 'the future is female'.
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