Equality, diversity and human rights >
Religion or belief discrimination
The recent case of Ngole v Touchstone clarifies that, when concerns are raised about how an employee manifests a religious belief, employer action should be directed at how an employee's religious belief is expressed, rather than at the belief itself, regardless of how objectionable and upsetting that belief may be.
The Court of Appeal has been making the headlines after it found in Higgs v Farmor's School and others that a Christian school assistant's dismissal for social media posts expressing opposition to the ideas of transgenderism, gender fluidity and same-sex marriage was discriminatory. But did the headlines capture the essence of the court's ruling?
Kristie Higgs, the Christian school assistant who was dismissed after sharing Facebook posts that her employer deemed transphobic and homophobic, has won her case at the Court of Appeal.
Updated to include a reference to the protection from harassment measures in the Employment Rights Bill, published on 10 October 2024.
Enhanced with guidance on using artificial intelligence (AI) in the recruitment process.
In Miller v University of Bristol ET/1400780/22, the employment tribunal held that the professor's anti-Zionist beliefs are protected under the Equality Act 2010, and that his summary dismissal was an act of direct philosophical belief discrimination and unfair.
Enhanced with additional guidance on raising awareness around religion and belief.
Enhanced with further guidance on providing a dedicated space for prayer.
We reflect on the key decisions from last year and look forward to the case law trends likely to emerge in 2023. These include cases on: gender identity, holiday pay, coronavirus-related health and safety cases, industrial action, and dismissal and re-engagement.
We look at three cases dealing with issues around discrimination and whistleblowing, arising from the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.
HR and legal information and guidance relating to religion or belief discrimination.