Ellinor Grimmark denied job – was not discriminated against
It was not discriminatory of Jönköping County Council to deny Ellinor Grimmark the job of midwife when she refused to perform abortions. Thus says the Equality Ombudsman in dismissing the case.
The midwife Ellinor Grimmark felt discriminated against because of her faith, but after investigation the Discrimination Ombudsman (DO) felt that not to be the case.
“It was quite expected, I did not think the Swedish Equality Ombudsman would dare bring it up,” Ellinor Grimmark told Smålandsnytt.
According to the DO, the County Council of Jönköping did not deny Ellinor Grimmark employment because of her beliefs in themselves, but because she was not prepared to carry out a task which is part of midwifery.
Although this had serious consequences for Ellinor Grimmark, this was proportionate to the aim of guaranteeing the rights and freedoms of others, thought the DO.
Today, Ellinor Grimmark is working as a nurse in California, but will soon start working as a midwife in Norway, where it is possible for a midwife to refrain from participating in abortions.
“But I intend to pursue this further. We are just a short way down this road,” she says.
However, the DO’s decision cannot be appealed, and the case is closed. [Original Swedish text]