The equality act 2010 says you mustnt be discriminated against because of your religion or belief. The equality act prohibits discrimination in the workplace in respect of religion, religious belief and philosophical belief. What it means for colleges the equality act 2010, which became law in october 2010, represents the culmination of years of debate about how to improve british equality law. The equality act also covers non belief or a lack of religion or belief. Religion or belief discrimination equality and human rights. Pdf religion and belief discrimination and equality in. Equality act 2010 ln presentation clps summer school. Employees who hold a philosophical belief that meets the test set out in case law are protected against direct and indirect belief discrimination, harassment and victimisation because of their belief. Changes and effects are recorded by our editorial team in lists which can be found. The equality act 2010 defines religion or belief as follows. Religion and belief encompasses all religions, and means any religious and philosophical beliefs. Before the act came into force, a government spokesperson stated the last category was not intended to cover political beliefs.
I think that everybody should be treated equally and of the same quality. However the key test is reasonableness and what may be. Religion or belief the equality and diversity team have produced a calendar of religious festivals to raise awareness of dates which are likely to have an impact on work or study. Jun 22, 2010 equality act 2010 ln presentation clps summer school. Regarding discrimination matters, under the equality act 2010, the definition of. This entry was posted in disability, discrimination, gender identity, marriage and cp, pregnancy and maternity, protected characteristics, race and ethnicity, religion and belief, sex, sexual orientation and tagged cardiff, discrimination, race equality first, vale of glamorgan on december 9, 20 by raceequalityfirst. To benefit from protection under the act, a religion or.
The research explores the law in relation to equality, human rights and religion or belief in england and wales and how it is understood and applied in the workplace, public services and the community. Our forefathers made it very clear that the united states should be a melting pot of people from different countries, cultures and, yes, even with different religious beliefs. Therep has a physical or mental impairment, andare changes that may be brought into force at a future date. Equality act 2010 alan christie director of policy equality and human rights commission slideshare uses cookies to improve functionality and performance, and to. Religion or belief employment equality regulations current. The act changes the existing definition of religion and belief set out in the employment equality religion or belief regulations 2003. Mar 06, 2007 the equality act 2006 is set to clarify the law on religion or belief discrimination. He claimed he had been discriminated against for holding the belief that public money ought not to. In line with their five components of evidence collection and analysis, the audit aims to. For example should there be restrictions on what people can wear in the work place based on their. The eat considered whether a belief relating to the proper and efficient use of public money in the public sector constituted a philosophical belief for the purpose of the equality act 2010. This means any religious or philosophical belief, or lack of religion or belief, is covered by the law. Implementation of the employment equality directive european.
The law on religion or belief discrimination, including the equality act 2010, the meaning of religion or belief, direct discrimination, indirect discrimination, justification, harassment, thirdparty harassment, the protection from harassment act 1997, victimisation, occupational requirements, sikhs and the wearing of safety helmets, positive action and accommodating religious observance. Considering the outcome of an audit of uk equalities data on the nine protected. Discrimination which is against the equality act is unlawful. As employers will be aware, the equality act 2010 the act prohibits direct discrimination, indirect discrimination, victimisation and harassment in the workplace in respect of religion, religious belief and philosophical belief or lack of such beliefs. By wade wacker, reasons for hope jesus religion in our country is taking on a different definition. The legal instruments that relate to religion and belief equality for students are. A lack of religion and a lack of belief are also protected characteristics. Review of equality and human rights law relating to. The equality act 2010 makes it unlawful to discriminate against or treat someone unfairly because of religion or belief, or their lack of religion or belief. Religion and belief is a protected characteristic for the purpose of the equality act 2010 ea 2010, under s 10.
Equality act 2010, part 2 is up to date with all changes known to be in force on or before 01 april 2020. These explanatory notes relate to the equality act 2010 which received royal assent on 8 april 2010. Freedom of religion is a principle that supports the freedom of an individual or community, in public or private, to manifest religion or belief in teaching, practice, worship, and observance. For more detailed explanation of how the act applies to employment and service. Mar 08, 2011 equality act 2010 alan christie director of policy equality and human rights commission slideshare uses cookies to improve functionality and performance, and to provide you with relevant advertising.
The calendar is unlike other religious festival calendars, in that it does not intend to be fully inclusive. It also makes it unlawful for a public authority to act in a way. Lesson plans for primary schools using childrens books to teach that living in a diverse community is great. To be recognised as a religion, there must be a clear structure and belief system, although if it is not recognised as a religion it may still be recognised as a philosophical belief. Protection also applies to those who do not have a religion or belief. They were introduced in order to comply with the european union directive 200078ec and complement similar measures on sexuality, age, disability, race and gender discrimination. How do you measure whether a particular belief should be afforded protection under the equality act 2010. In recent years, controversial issues related to religion or belief, discrimination, equality and human rights have come to the fore, especially in the context of public debates around multiculturalism following the social policy shock created by the impact of violent religious extremism. Religion and belief discrimination and equality in england and wales. Bsuh nhs trust has a religion and belief forum which meets regularly.
Ecni delivering religious beliefpolitical opinion equality. Humanism, spiritualism, atheism and climate change. They have been prepared by the government equalities office, the department for work and pensions in respect of provisions relating to disability and pensions, the department for children, schools and families and the department for. Equality, human rights and religion or belief in england. Belief discrimination equality act and philosophical beliefs. Religion and belief discrimination personnel today. The employment equality religion or belief regulations 2003 is a plank of united kingdom labour law designed to combat discrimination in relation to peoples religion or belief, or absence of religion or belief. This revised religion and belief equality guide builds on guidance we first produced in 2008 to try to ensure our work reflects good practice in the area of religion and belief.
The equality act 2010 simplifies the current laws and puts them all together in one piece of legislation. There are changes that may be brought into force at a future date. Commitment to equality in religion and belief kings college london is committed to equality of opportunity and values the diversity of its staff and student body. This enshrines within uk law as from october 2010 the outlawing of discrimination connected with religion and belief outside other employment fields. Religion and belief equality and diversity good practice. Police law religious and belief discrimination 04022015 11. Duty to publish equality data under the equality act 2010. To lead on religion and belief issues in the trust and local health community and work in partnership with faith groups and various organisations. Equality act 2010, section 10 is up to date with all changes known to be in force on or before 27 april 2020. This code applies to the provisions in the equality act 2010 that were commenced on 1 st.
If youve experienced unlawful discrimination, you may be able to do something about it. It also includes the freedom to change ones religion or beliefs. The act also introduces provisions governing discrimination on the grounds of religion or belief in the provision of goods. Religion or belief the open university equality and. The guidance is necessary because we believe increased understanding of the role of religion and belief is an important contributor to strengthening cultural relations. In the equality act religion or belief can mean any religion, for example an organised religion like christianity, judaism, islam or buddhism, or a smaller religion like rastafarianism or paganism, as long as it has a clear structure and belief system. So depending on your circumstances, the new act may protect you more. It addresses complex issues in a context where there is. Continue overleaf the definition of religion or belief in the act, religion or belief is defined as being any religion, religious belief or philosophical belief. The details and data on this webpage consists of information before the scottish specific duties 2012 came into force, for current information please refer to webpages. Provide a framework in which to support and monitor the religious and.
Religion or belief v sex v sexual orientation v marriage and civil partnership v completion of stage 1 and initial screening process if the policy guidance, procedures, etc will affect or impact negatively on any protected characteristic under the equality act 2010, you should continue on and complete the full eia template. Religion and belief largely absent from governments new vision for equality november 17th, 2010 mention of religion and belief was largely absent from the governments announcements on its new equalities strategy, launched this morning by secretary of state for women and equalities, rt hon theresa may mp. In relation to indirect discrimination on the grounds of religion or belief and in line with the equality act 2010 the college recognises that it is capable of being justified if it is a proportionate means of achieving a legitimate aim. Freedom of religion is considered by many people and most of the nations to be a fundamental human right. If it is felt a genuine occupational requirement see page 16 for a fuller explanation of genuine. Read this page to find out more about whats meant by religion and belief. Making a claim for religion or belief discrimination. The equality act 2010 says you must not be discriminated against because. The equality act 2006 is set to clarify the law on religion or belief discrimination. Equalities data audit, final report office for national statistics.
Religion and belief equality guide british council. Equality, human rights and religion or belief in england and. Employers should be aware of the meaning of religion and belief. As of 1st october 2010, all existing equality legislation including the 2003 regulations was consolidated into the equality act 2010 the act. Faith and belief in practice is a university initiative that seeks to increase awareness and understanding of religious and belief communities in the university. Continue overleaf the definition of religion or belief in the equality act, religion or belief is defined as being any religion, religious belief or philosophical belief. Employers that observe good practice in respect of religion and belief can help to build a more diverse, inclusive, respectful and motivated workforce. The equality act 2010 defines religion or belief as any religion, religious belief or philosophical belief. The college will not tolerate discrimination, victimisation or harassment on the basis of a persons religion or belief and aims to.
The paper examines some prominent legal cases and identifies areas where the law is unclear or contested. Continue overleaf the definition of religion or belief in the act, religion or belief is defined as being any religion. About religion or belief, discrimination and equality. In order to be protected under great britains equality act 2010ii, a religion. Schools need to be teaching about the equality act 2010 to ensure all children know that whatever their religion, race, disability, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation or age, they belong in school. This policy statement needs to be viewed in the context of the equality act 2010 and the public sector equality duty 2011 and the extent of protection it provides in the context of religion or belief a protected characteristic. Political beliefs can be grounds for a discrimination claim. The equality act also covers nonbelief or a lack of religion or belief. Not all philosophical beliefs qualify for protection under the equality act 2010.
Review of equality and human rights law relating to religion. The principal legislation governing discrimination on the grounds of religion or belief is the equality act 2010. This entry was posted in disability, discrimination, gender identity, marriage and cp, pregnancy and maternity, protected characteristics, race and ethnicity, religion and belief, sex, sexual orientation and tagged cardiff, discrimination, race equality first, vale of glamorgan on december 9. What constitutes a philosophical belief under the equality act 2010 is a matter of fact in each case. Religion or belief discrimination equality and human. University of st andrews scotlands first university. Equality act 2010 is up to date with all changes known to be in force on or before 17 february 2020. Duty to publish equalities data under the equality act 2010. It is unlawful to discriminate against an individual on account of the individual holding or not holding a particular philosophical belief. Even though we dont all think the same, look the same, or talk the same we shouldnt be discriminated against because of those qualities. However, the act itself is not so clear and the scope of philosophical belief has been the. The equality act 2010 the act provides protection against discrimination because of religion or belief. Employment equality religion or belief regulations 2003. The protected characteristic of religion or belief lawteacher.
Most of the equality act will start to apply in october 2010 and this guide covers the main changes coming into effect then. The publication of an annual calendar of significant faith, belief amd diversity dates. The protected characteristic of religion or belief includes any religion and any. The commissions remit in this area stems from our duties under the fair employment and treatment ni order 1998 to promote equality of opportunity, affirmative action and to work for the elimination of religiouspolitical discrimination, and our duty to offer advice to public authorities in relation to section 75 of the northern ireland act 1998. I believe in equality and eliminating discrimination. The equality act 2010 the racial and religious hatred act 2006 the human rights act 1998. The 2006 equality act which also amended the definition in the employment equality religion or belief regulations 2003 gives these definitions. For example, the act protects christians if they are discriminated against because of their christian beliefs. Philosophical belief is a protected characteristic under the equality act 2010. Explanatory notes to equality act 2010 legislation. Revised legislation carried on this site may not be fully up to date.
The london borough of newham is required under section 149 of the equality act 2010 the public sector equality duty and the equality act 2010 specific duties regulations 2011 to publish information that demonstrates our compliance with the general equality duty with regard to our. Dec 15, 2010 the equality act 2010 changes things further. On 1 october 2010, the equality act 2010 replaced all existing equality legislation. Religion and belief largely absent from governments new. This policy needs to be read in conjunction with the colleges. Religion, belief or lack of belief equality policy statement.
Protection for people with a religion or belief the equality act defines religion as being any religion, and belief as any religious or philosophical belief. The principle of nondiscrimination on the basis of religion or belief. We do not support or promote any specific religion or beliefi. There is no definitive list of recognised religions. The explanatory notes issued by the government to the bill for this act state that the protection covers a wide definition in line with the protection guaranteed by article 9 of the european convention on human rights echr, which. They stated that our country would stand for freedom of.