Atheist nurse wins fight to end mandatory 12-step addiction treatment for health staff in Vancouver

B.C. health authority settles human rights complaint with Byron Wood, who lost his job after quitting AA

https://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-50751896

Health-care professionals who work in Vancouver-area hospitals and medical clinics will no longer be required to attend 12-step programs if they want to keep their jobs after being diagnosed with addiction.

The change comes as a result of a settlement between public health authority Vancouver Coastal Health and former nurse Byron Wood, who filed a human rights complaint alleging he was discriminated against as an atheist when he was fired for quitting Alcoholics Anonymous.

Wood told CBC the agreement was reached after a month of negotiations.

“I’m really happy about the outcome — it means that VCH employees are not required to attend 12-step rehab centres, 12-step meetings, or participate in any 12-step activities if they object for religious reasons,” he said in an email.

“It’s what I’ve been fighting for, for the last six years.”