A major survey hoping to garner examples of how religious faith is treated in the workplace in Britain has been launched.
The Equality and Human Rights Commission want to hear from members of the public, employers, and faith groups in order to better understand what is happening in practice. Although there have been a number of high-profile legal cases brought by those claiming discrimination in the workplace due to their faith, “very little is known about how frequently these issues occur”, the commission says.
The survey, which is looking at evidence post-2010, wants to hear about how religion has impacted on job applications, the experience of employees when issues to do with faith arise and how employers respond.
Mark Hammond, Chief Executive of the Commission, said: “Everyone has the right to be treated with fairness, dignity and respect; that includes respect for people’s faith or beliefs, and respect for the rights of others.” He added: “Undertaking this major piece of work will help to build our understanding about how well the law is working so we can fully examine the adequacy of the current legal framework.”
In recent years cases have been brought by Christians who claim to have been discriminated against. These include Nadia Eweida, the British Airways employee who won her case after being asked not to wear her cross visibly.
The commission’s survey is separate from The Commission on Religion and Belief in British Public Life, the brainchild of the Woolf Institute that was launched earlier this year. That commission is undertaking a national consultation on belief. Mr Hammond is a member of this commission but in an individual capacity.
The Equality and Human Rights commission survey is open until mid-October and people can give their feedback via www.equalityhumanrights.com/religion
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