Equality and Human Rights Commission

There are laws to protect you from discrimination on grounds of religion or belief when you apply for a job, while you work and after you leave a company. You are also protected if you have no religion or belief.

Example

During an interview, a Christian woman refers to the church that she regularly attends. Although she has the skills to do the job successfully, the interviewer does not employ her, because she does not like the idea of working alongside someone who believes in God. This would be unlawful direct discrimination.

Example

A Sikh man takes his employer to a tribunal for banning ‘headwear’, as his religion says he must wear a turban. He later leaves the company and asks his old employer for a reference. The employer refuses, saying that the man is a ‘troublemaker’ and he couldn’t recommend him to another employer. This would be unlawful victimisation.

Example

A chief executive introduces a ‘no headwear’ rule for all staff. This would put Sikh men who wear a turban and Jewish men who wear a kippah at a disadvantage. This is an example of indirect religious discrimination, and would need to be justified otherwise it may be unlawful.

Example

A manager arranges for his team to go to football matches once a month. During these trips, a group of employees chant anti-Muslim slogans and make offensive comments about Islam. The manager does nothing to stop his staff’s behaviour. This is an example of religious harassment. Companies can be held responsible for harassment carried out by their staff in the workplace or at an event or venue associated with work.

Example

A religious woman frequently refers to her colleagues as ‘sinners’ and warns them that they will go to hell if they do not convert to her religion. This is an example of religious harassment.

Example

A man who is an atheist is targeted by his Christian colleague, who believes that she must try to convert him to her religion. She leaves religious texts on his desk and tries to engage him in conversations about Christianity. The man complains to his employer, who tells him to ignore her. This is an example of harassment from a colleague on grounds of no religious belief. The employer is also liable to legal action for failing to deal with the harassment.