Equality and Human Rights Commission

Harassment because of religion or belief is behaviour that is intimidating, frightening or in any way distressing. Harassment can also be aimed at someone because they have no religion or belief.

Harassment in the workplace is unlawful on grounds of an individual’s religion or belief, or none, and is covered by the Employment Equality (Religion or Belief) Regulations 2003. This form of harassment is defined in law as unwanted conduct that violates a person’s dignity or creates an intimidating, hostile, degrading, humiliating or offensive environment.

Find out more about harassment at work.

Harassment on grounds of religion or belief may be obvious bullying or it can be unintentional or hidden. It can be aimed at:

• your beliefs or religious practices
• the religion or philosophical belief itself
• a religion or belief that a person is associated with.

Harassment does not have to be aimed at an individual. A general culture of telling jokes about a certain religion, for example, might amount to harassment.

Organisations may be held responsible for harassment carried out by their staff in the workplace, or at an event or venue associated with work.