Religious Discrimination
Conduct of staff isn’t the only headache that employers face when organising the Christmas party. Every year we get asked questions so we thought we would get ahead of the game. 1. Do I need a policy statement for Christmas parties? Many employers issue a policy statement that relates to staff conduct at work socials, if […]
A McDonalds branch in Birmingham has had to have its burger and eat it after the manger was caught on video discriminating against black employees. The manager, Mr Khela, cut the hours of the branch’s 20 black employees due to apparent underperformance. When confronted by an employee he insisted this was store policy. Mr Khela […]
The European Union has been a contentious issue in the UK from practically the day we joined. However with David Cameron promising a referendum there is a real possibility that the UK might leave the E.U in the near future.. Here are some of the impacts an European separation might have on employment law. […]
Hello again, we hope you enjoyed the bank holiday despite the gloomy weather. This week’s case is about religious discrimination and is one of the most straightforward cases we’ve covered, however, there are still lessons to be learned for employers. The question this week is: Can a health and safety policy be indirectly discriminatory? Ms […]
With not long to go until the General Election we thought it would be appropriate to cover a case that concerns political beliefs in the work place. However, we must warn you that this week’s case is a real can of worms containing several questions: – Are political beliefs protected characteristics? – Can […]
Next week will be an interesting week as the ECHR will hear four high profile claims against the UK relating to the freedom of thought, conscience and religion as contained in Article 9. The claims were all dismissed by the UK courts amidst much controversy. As a quick reminder, they are (1) Lillian Ladele who […]
Looking back at the last week, my employment news highlight comes from comments made by David Cameron at PM’s Question Time. He commented that he ‘fully supported the right of people to wear religious symbols at work, I think it is absolutely a vital religious freedom’. This is particularly interesting given that the case of […]
One of the characteristics protected from discrimination is religion. It is reported in the Telegraph today that Dr David Drew has lost his claim of discrimination because of his religion. You may recall from an earlier blog on this case, that Dr Drew was dismissed for gross misconduct for using religious language in work communications […]
It has been reported in the Telegraph today that Church of England bishops have asked the Coalition to take steps to protect Christians from the effect of equality laws. This comes in the wake of a number of cases highlighting the frequent conflict between religion and equality. Who recalls the Christian hotel owners who were […]
Chatwal v Wandsworth Council is a classic example of a neutral work requirement – the requirement that each team member has to take turns in cleaning the staff kitchen and fridge – that could indirectly discriminate against someone on grounds of religion. In this case Mr Chatwal’s particular form of sikhism forbade touching meat – […]
The “positive action” provisions in section 159 Equality Act 2010 that allow employers to give preference to those with protected characteristics when recruiting or promoting employees are to be implemented from 6 April 2011 according to this Commencement Order made by the government this week. Is this a step too far? Has the strive for […]
uniform policy, dress code, crucifix at work, religious symbols, jewellery ban, religious discrimination
Postal workers who were refused time off to celebrate a religious holiday are considering legal action against the Royal Mail as reported in today’s Yorkshire Evening Post. Muslim staff at the distribution centre in Leeds say they are usually allowed to take the day off to mark Eid-ul-Fitr, the end of Ramadan. However, all requests […]
