Equalities Minister Victoria Atkins announced on Sunday that new guidance will be issued by the Government Equalities Office this month to help employers set appropriate dress codes.
Katie Harrison, director of the ComRes Faith Research Centre, told Premier although the law is clear that employers mustn’t discriminate on people on the basis of religion or belief, there has been some confusion on what employers can and cannot allow staff to wear.
“We’ve seen some court cases. There was a British Airways member of staff that went to court over wearing a cross around her neck.
“There’s a sort of murky water where people will say ‘well it doesn’t really fit with our brand, or it doesn’t fit our corporate image, or we all need to look the same and wear the same things’. But we’re not all the same as people and we bring different things to the workplace.”
Harrsion said some employers have banned religious wear as a way to protect their staff, not discriminate against them.
“It’s an area many managers find tricky, as religious clothing and symbols can make people a target for abuse and harassment so some business leaders try to protect colleagues by stipulating a clothing policy which precludes religious dress.
“But this of course defeats the object, and sends a message that workers should hide…
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