Diaconal House in Jever Dismisses Employee Due to Candidacy with AfD
A diaconal house in Jever dismissed an employee after she stood as an AfD candidate in local elections, citing a "question of stance." The employee contested this, announcing legal action, while the situation was complicated by public support and accusations from an AfD Bundestag member.
Mission Lebenshaus dismissed an employee because she had run as a candidate for the AfD in the local elections in Lower Saxony. The company cited a "question of stance" for the termination. The affected employee contested the dismissal, claiming that her employer had pressured her to withdraw. Furthermore, she announced legal action. The situation became public when a video was shown featuring a Member of the Bundestag of the AfD at the diaconal house, where he appeared in a supportive role and further accused the house of a crime.
The incident highlights the tensions between the political activities of employees and the guidelines of a diaconal institution. According to the company, the dismissal was based on the aforementioned "question of stance."
The dismissed employee feels that the employer's actions restrict her freedom and has therefore announced legal action. An additional factor in the debate is the public support of the diaconal institution by a Member of the Bundestag of the AfD, who even implicated it criminally.
The events raise questions about the boundaries between personal commitment and professional relationship in church or diaconal institutions.