Wearing religious emblems at work

Fox Whitfield is pleased to report that our leading discrimination specialist Sarah Russell has been quoted in the Nursing Standard this month. Sarah has given extensive comments about the complex law on religious discrimination and wearing religious emblems in the workplace.

The full article is behind a paywall here but as Sarah explains in it, the law on direct discrimination is clear. For example, refusing to promote a Christian or Muslim because a manager does not like people of that faith is unlawful. Staff uniform is more complex. Where an employer’s policies or procedures will have a different impact on a particular group of people because of something to do with their religion or belief, the policy will may be lawful if it’s a proportionate means of achieving a legitimate aim. The same principles apply where someone is seeking a working pattern to accommodate religious practices or prayer breaks.

If these are issues we can help you with, please contact Sarah Russell on 07985 106 233 or sarahr@foxwhitfield.com