Information on Faith and Religion

Religion or Belief Regulations

From 2nd December 2003, the Employment Equality (Religion of Belief) Regulations came into force. It became unlawful to discriminate against workers because of religion or similar belief. These regulations also cover providers of vocational training.

This legislation strengthens existing legislation developed to protect people against discrimination on the grounds of sex, race, disability and sexual orientation.

These regulations apply to vocational training and all areas of employment – including recruitment, terms and conditions, promotions, transfers, dismissals and training. They make it unlawful on the grounds of religion or belief to:

• Discriminate directly against anyone. That is to apply a criterion, provision or practice which disadvantage people of a particular religion or belief unless it can be objectively justified
• Subject someone to harassment. Harassment is unwanted conduct that violates a persons dignity or creates an intimidating, hostile, degrading, humiliating or offensive environment having regard to all the circumstances and the perception of the victim
• Victimise someone because they have made or intend to make a complaint or allegation or have given or intend to give evidence in relation to a complaint or discrimination on the grounds of religion or belief
• Discriminate or harass someone in certain circumstances after the working relationship has ended

Exceptions may be made in very limited circumstances if there is a genuine occupational requirement for the worker to be of a particular religion or belief in order to do the job or to comply with the religious or belief ethos of the organisation

Religion or belief is defined as being any religion, religious belief or similar philosophical belief. This does not include any philosophical or political belief unless it is similar to religious belief. It will be for the Employment Tribunals and other Courts to decide whether particular circumstances are covered by the regulations.

Isle of Wight Council Faith Guide

For further information: www.acas.org.uk

2008 Calendar of Religious and Cultural Festivals and Events

A – Z of religious beliefs:

Atheism
The ideas and story of people who don’t believe in God

Baha’ i
One of the youngest of the world’s major religions

Buddhism
A way of living based on the teachings of Siddhartha Gautama

Christianity
The world’s biggest faith, based on the teaching of Jesus Christ

Hinduism
A group of faiths rooted in the religious ideas of India

Islam
The religion of Islam is based on the revelations given to the Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) in Arabia during the seventh century CE

Jainism
An ancient philosophy and ethical teaching that originated in India

Judaism
Based around the Jewish people’s covenant relationship with God

Mormon
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints

Paganism
Contemporary religions usually based on reverence for nature

Rastafari
A young religion based on Marcus Garvey’s philosophies

Shinto
Shinto has no known founder of single sacred scripture

Sikhism
The religion founded by Guru Nanak in India in the 15th Century CE

Unitarianism
An open-minded and individualistic approach to religion

Zoroastrianism
One of the oldest monotheistic faiths, founded by the prophet Zoroaster

Further information on all of the above can be found on the following website:

www.bbc.co.uk/religion/religions

For Multifaith calendar click on

www.bbc.co.uk/calendar/yearindex.shtml?2006 for dates in 2006
www.bbc.co.uk/calendar/yearindex.shtml?2007 for dates in 2007
www.bbc.co.uk/calendar/yearindex.shmtl?2008 for dates in 2008
www.bbc.co.uk/calendar/yearindex.shmtl?2009 for dates in 2009