Religious discrimination
Religious discrimination legislation has been in place in the UK since 2003, although individuals of religious denominations that are associated with one particular race have been bringing race discrimination claims much earlier than 2003. “Religion or belief” is a protected characteristic under the Equality Act 2010.
Religious discrimination laws cover direct and indirect religious discrimination, and harassment and victimisation because of someone's religion.
Any religion is protected under UK equal opportunities laws. This means that, while the majority of claims will be brought by Christians, Muslims, Hindus, Sikhs, and Jews, it is possible for an employer to face a workplace discrimination from followers of other religions such as Pagans, Spiritualists or Wiccans (Holland v Angel Supermarket Ltd and another). A lack of religion is also covered.
Migrants face less discrimination than their adult children
The UK-born children of migrants feel they are more discriminated against than new migrants and are more likely to be unemployed.
Dress codes and religious discrimination: what is reasonable?
While having a dress code can help project a professional image, employers need to be careful that their policies do...
Staff agency for top hotels discriminated against bearded Sikh man
A Sikh man has won £7,000 after an agency which supplies staff to exclusive London hotels said it was not...
Embassy secretary awarded £400,000 for ‘spiteful’ sex discrimination
Employment tribunal awards £400,000 to former Qatari Embassy secretary who was subjected to a campaign of sexual harassment and discrimination.
Wearing a poppy in the workplace: myth or reality?
Employers sometimes make the headlines over their policy on staff wearing a poppy in the workplace. We set out the...
Christian doctor in transgender pronoun row loses at employment tribunal
The Christian doctor who refused to refer to transgender benefits claimants by their relevant pronouns has lost his claim for...
Recruitment consultant wins religious discrimination claim
A Muslim woman has been awarded more than £22,000 in compensation after a company director made derogatory comments about her...
‘Gay cake’ case referred to European Court
The case involving a Northern Irish bakery that refused to make a cake with a message supporting gay marriage will...
Christian doctor ‘chose’ to leave his job over trans pronoun row
Dr David Mackereth, the Christian doctor who claims he was dismissed for refusing to use transgender pronouns, chose to leave...
Christian doctor sacked for not using preferred pronouns
A doctor has claimed he was dismissed because his Christian beliefs prohibited him from addressing transgender benefit claimants by their...
Proselytising Christian nurse loses second appeal against dismissal
A nurse in Kent dismissed for “preaching” to patients has lost a second appeal against an employment tribunal ruling that...
UK no more biased against migrant workers than other EU nations
Around 15% of people in the UK would object to having immigrants as neighbours, and most Brexiteers do not object...
Study finds ‘alarming’ bias against minority ethnic candidates
Research has uncovered an “alarming” level of discrimination against job seekers from minority ethnic backgrounds, who need to send an...
Christmas in the workplace: 10 common employer queries
During the Christmas period employers face a minefield of HR challenges. How well prepared is your organisation for the festive...
What employers need to know following the ‘gay cake’ ruling
It is the case which has captivated the nation almost as much as the Great British Bake-Off. Tom Long looks...
