Tomorrow, new legislation will allow workers to take time off for spiritual observance. Roisin Woolnough looks at the detailsChristians have long had it easy in terms of being able to combine work with religious observance. Sundays, Christmas, Easter – the important days in the Christian calendar are free for the majority to do as they will. Now it’s time for employees to make more allowances for those of other faiths as well. From December 2, new legislation comes into effect in the UK which formalises and extends the rights of employees of any faith to take time off work for religious observance. It could be an entire day to celebrate the Muslim festival Eid, for example, or 10 minutes at particular times of the day to pray. Druids could even take time off to mark the summer solstice. The Employment Equality (Religion or Belief) Regulations 2003 prohibit direct and indirect discrimination on the grounds of religion or belief. There is no express right for employees to take time off for religious purposes, as employers do not have to grant requests if they conflict with operational needs, but employers do risk liability for direct discrimination if they refuse to grant leave because of the employee’s religion or belief. They also risk charges of indirect discrimination if they have company rules or practices that are disadvantageous to employees of a particular religion or belief and which cannot be justified for other reasons. Continue reading…
Source : theguardian.com
Read more…Religious rights
