Category Archives: Religion in the workplace

Banning employees from wearing headscarves

Posted on March 14, 2017 by Darren Newman

Let’s get one thing clear at the outset. The European Court of Justice has not said that it is OK to ban Muslim employees from wearing headscarves. It really hasn’t. But the decision in Achbita v G4S Secure Solutions NV … Continue reading →

Posted in Equality Act, EU law, Indirect discrimination, Religion in the workplace, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , | 3 Comments

The Great Northern Ireland Bake-off

Posted on November 6, 2014 by Darren Newman

The Equality Commission of Northern Ireland is threatening to take action against a bakery that refused to bake a Sesame Street themed cake with a pro-gay marriage slogan. This has the potential to turn into one of those conscience v equality … Continue reading →

Posted in Fair Employment, Religion in the workplace, Sexual Orientation | Tagged , , , , | 7 Comments

An Insult to Christians? The Mail’s Insult to Our Intelligence

Posted on April 8, 2013 by Darren Newman

This morning’s front page of the Daily Mail is the sort of thing that keeps me up at night. There is a particular kind of deliberate stupidity – a boneheaded, almost joyous, refusal to understand or engage with an argument … Continue reading →

Posted in Religion in the workplace | Tagged , , , , , | 4 Comments

Eweida & Co – the four big issues

Posted on January 14, 2013 by Darren Newman

Tomorrow the European Court of Human Rights hands down its decision in the case of four UK applicants claiming a breach of their rights under the Convention to manifest their religious beliefs. Yesterday I set out the bare facts of … Continue reading →

Posted in Religion in the workplace | 3 Comments

Eweida & co – the facts

Posted on January 13, 2013 by Darren Newman

So on Tuesday we will get an important ruling from the European Court of Human Rights on four UK religious discrimination cases.  Actually there are two cases and four claimants. Eweida and Chaplin are the first case, Ladele and McFarlane … Continue reading →

Posted in Religion in the workplace | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

Employers must justify requiring Christians to work on a Sunday (and why that wasn’t the headline in the Telegraph)

Posted on January 11, 2013 by Darren Newman

Next Tuesday the European Court of Human Rights rules on the cases of Eweida, Chaplin, Ladele and McFarlane. The case is likely to be quite complicated and I plan to read it very carefully and give it some serious thought … Continue reading →

Posted in Religion in the workplace, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , | 5 Comments

Facebook, Gay Marriage and Religion (but that’s not the interesting bit)

Posted on November 19, 2012 by Darren Newman

Employers often worry about the negative publicity associated with an Employment Tribunal case – often needlessly. It is unlikely that the nation’s press will choose to highlight a failure to follow a fair disciplinary procedure, or a redundancy decision where … Continue reading →

Posted in Breach of Contract, Religion in the workplace, Unfair Dismissal | Tagged , , , , , , , | 6 Comments

It’s not about banning crosses!

Posted on September 6, 2012 by Darren Newman

I’m not going to try to go through all of the media reporting surrounding the religious discrimination cases currently being heard by the European Court of Human Rights and correct the errors and misconceptions that abound. What would be the … Continue reading →

Posted in Religion in the workplace | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Eweida v British Airways: let’s stick to the facts

Posted on July 11, 2012 by Darren Newman

The case of Eweida v British Airways was mentioned in Prime Minister’s questions on 11th July. The Telegraph is reporting that the Prime Minister promised to change the law if she loses her claim before the European Court of Human … Continue reading →

Posted in Religion in the workplace, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , | 3 Comments

Was a doctor really disciplined for sharing his Christian faith?

Posted on June 19, 2012 by Darren Newman

Sometimes you come across an article in a newspaper that is so wrong – so utterly and completely wrong and unfair, but in a self-satisfied and smug sort of way – that you just want to scream. My neighbours can … Continue reading →

Posted in Religion in the workplace | Tagged , , , , , | 1 Comment