There is no specific list that sets out what religion or belief discrimination is. The law defines it as any religion, religious or philosophical belief. This includes all major religions, as well as less widely practised ones.
You are also protected against discrimination if you do not follow any religion or belief, and your employer discriminates against you because of this. Political beliefs are not counted as a religion or belief.
If you are not sure what counts as a religion or belief under the law, you should seek further advice. In some cases you can apply to an Employment Tribunal to decide if you are being discriminated against for your religion or belief (or lack of religion or belief).
You are protected against discrimination through any recruitment process and in employment, including your terms and conditions of employment, pay, status, training, promotion and transfer opportunities, redundancy and dismissal and benefits such as pensions.
There is recognition in the regulations that there may be very specific circumstance in which holding certain religious or other beliefs will be a genuine occupational requirement. Some of the implications for employers include:
- providing prayer rooms
- meeting the dietary requirements of certain religions or beliefs
- being flexible to accommodate cultural and religious holidays
- being flexible over uniforms to accommodate certain religions or beliefs
The Racial and Religious Hatred Act 2006
2. The Act amends the Public Order Act 1986 (the 1986 Act) by creating new offences of stirring up hatred against persons on religious grounds and amends section 24A of the Police and Criminal Evidence Act (PACE) 1984 so that the powers of citizens’ arrest do not apply to the offences of stirring up religious or racial hatred.
3. The new offences apply to the use of words or behaviour or display of written material (new section 29B), publishing or distributing written material (new section 29C), the public performance of a play (new section 29D), distributing, showing or playing a recording (new section 29E), broadcasting or including a programme in a programme service (new section 29F) and the possession of written materials with a view to display, publication, distribution or inclusion in a programme service or the possession of recordings with a view to distribution, showing, playing or inclusion in a programme service (new section 29G).
For each offence the words, behaviour, written material, recordings or programmes must be threatening and intended to stir up religious hatred. Religious hatred is defined as hatred against a group of persons defined by reference to religious belief or lack of religious belief.
Click HERE for the full act.
