Discriminating against you because of your religion or beliefs is illegal. This is true when:
- purchasing or using products and services
- at the workplace
- in terms of schooling
- in the field of housing
What does the term “religion” or “believe” imply?
If you meet the following criteria, you are legally protected from discrimination based on your religion or belief:
- be a member of an organized religion like Christianity, Judaism, or Islam
- having a significant belief that influences your way of life or worldview Religious and philosophical convictions, as well as a lack of belief, such as atheism, are included.
- take part in a group prayer
- subscribe to a minor religion or sect, such as Rastafarianism or Scientology
- If you are an atheist, for example, you have no religion.
If someone discriminates against you because they believe you are a member of a particular religion when you are not, you are protected. It is, for example, illegal for someone to discriminate against you because you wear a headscarf because they believe you are Muslim, even if you are not.
Discrimination based on affiliation is likewise illegal.
What is the definition of discrimination?
Discrimination occurs when you are treated unfairly in comparison to someone else because of your religion or beliefs. This is known as direct discrimination, and it is against the law. Here are several examples:
- refusing to lend you money because you are Jewish
- a restaurant refusing to let you in because you’re a Muslim
- You’re being fired from your job because you’re a Rastafarian.
- If you have been subjected to direct discrimination because of your religion or believe, you may be eligible to file a complaint.
It is also prohibited to have a rule, policy, or practice that puts someone of a certain religion or believe at a disadvantage because they are less likely to be able to meet it than other individuals. Indirect discrimination is the term for this.
The following are some examples of indirect discrimination:
a restaurant refusing to let you in if you’re wearing a headscarf or turban
asking all of your employees to dress in a certain way if this means they won’t be able to wear an article of clothing that they consider to be part of their faith.
You may be eligible to file a complaint if you have been subjected to indirect discrimination because of your religion or beliefs. However, if the person or organization you’re complaining about can demonstrate that the rule, policy, or practice has no bearing on your religion or beliefs, it won’t be considered discrimination.
For example, if your employer requires you to dress in a certain way for health and safety concerns – such as a firefighter wearing a helmet in dangerous situations, even if it means removing a turban – it may not be discrimination.
Victimisation
Victimization is one form of discrimination. This is when you are treated unfairly because you have complained or filed a lawsuit over religious discrimination. It’s also victimization if you’re treated unfairly as a result of your support for someone else taking action, such as if you testify in someone else’s discrimination complaint.
Because of their religion or believe, they are subjected to physical or verbal abuse.
Attacking you because of your religion or believe, or your lack of faith, is a criminal offense. Both physical and verbal abuse are included.
If someone incites hatred towards a particular religious group, they are also committing a criminal offense. For example, if they post or disseminate racist material or anything intended to incite religious hatred.
If you or a member of your family is the victim of one of these crimes, you should report it to the authorities.
Discrimination based on religion in the workplace and training
In the workplace, you are protected from religious discrimination. This means that you are safe:
- any religion or belief system you follow
- whatever the religion or beliefs of your boss
- whether you are already employed by your company
- whether you’re looking for a job or not.
- discrimination at work based on your religion or beliefs may include the following:
- dismissing you because to your religious beliefs
- only one religion is being advertised for job applicants.
- compelling you to dress in a specific manner, such as all ladies wearing short skirts. For women of several religions, this would be unacceptable.
- ordering you to refrain from wearing sacred items A Sikh man, for example, may be compelled to remove his kara (symbolic bracelet). However, if the employer can explain it on the basis of health and safety, it won’t be considered discrimination
- forcing you to work when you are unable to work due to your faith
Victimisation
Before you take any action, make sure your workplace situation isn’t due to prejudice.
You may be eligible to file a complaint if you are discriminated against at work because of your religion or beliefs. Raising a grievance with your employer or filing a claim with an employment tribunal are examples of this. However, in other cases, your employer may be able to demonstrate that the way you were handled was due to legitimate business or health and safety concerns that had nothing to do with your religion or believe. It will not be considered discrimination if this is the case.
Discriminating against a worker because of their religion or beliefs is illegal. So, if your company is implementing a new shift pattern that will be challenging for you due to your faith, you may be the victim of religious discrimination. Your boss would have to justify why you are required to work on Friday afternoons. He must be able to demonstrate that he has made every effort to fulfill your demands, but that you must still work on Friday afternoons for business reasons. Otherwise, his treatment of you could be considered discrimination based on your religion.
Victimization at work as a result of your religious or philosophical beliefs
Victimization occurs when you are treated unfairly at work because you have complained about religious discrimination or taken legal action against it. It is also victimization if you are treated unfairly as a result of your support for someone else taking action, such as if you testify in someone else’s discrimination complaint.
Victimization at work can take several forms, including:
- being labeled as a naysayer
- being denied opportunities for advancement or training
- being overlooked by your coworkers
- being given a bad recommendation