Landmark ruling: ethical veganism is protected under equality law.

An employment tribunal has ruled that ethical veganism is a philosophical belief protected under discrimination law. Do you appreciate the implications for schools, colleges and universities? And what if staff claim that they have a right to a philosophical belief that gender reassignment is not possible – are they protected under equality law? What if a student says that they are a Jedi Knight – is this a protected philosophical belief? Where do you draw the line? What are the practical implications from this landmark ruling for education providers?

Click to read more ...

EHRC guidance on the Marriage (Same Sex Couple) Act

The Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC) has published guidance on the Marriage (Same Sex Couples) Act 2013. Are you clear on the impact of this Act in your organisation? For example: How does the right to freedom of expression, including the expression of religious and other beliefs apply when teaching? Does the Act protect freedom of expression, including freedom to express religious or other beliefs? Can schools and colleges with a religious character teach about marriage following the organisation’s religious ethos?

Click to read more ...

Conflicting rights

Would your staff know what to say if another member of staff expresses an offensive opinion, but when challenged, claim that they have a right under equality law to express their philosophical belief? And what exactly constitutes a ‘philosophical belief’?

Click to read more ...

EHRC plans religion or belief seminars

Freedom of religion, freedom to manifest your religion, and the right to be free from discrimination because of your religious beliefs are all fundamental human rights protected by UK law. But these rights can cause conflict with the rights of others – the right to equality and freedom from discrimination because of sexual orientation or gender identity, for example.

Click to read more ...