The Equality and Human Rights Commission has today launched a major call for evidence on religion or belief issues. The information will be used to assess how employers, businesses and other providers are taking religion or belief into account and the impact this has on individuals.

Solicitors and others are being asked to respond as part of the commission’s three-year programme to determine the effectiveness of current equality and human rights legislation on people of all faiths and beliefs in England, Wales and Scotland.

The EHRC seeks to know whether people who hold a religion or belief are aware of their legal rights and whether the appropriate information and guidance is available to them. It also wants to hear about the recent experiences of employers and employees when these issues arise in the workplace.

Respondents are asked to share both negative and positive experiences since 2010, including:

  • How religion or belief has affected the recent experiences of job applicants, employees or customers
  • Whether people who hold a religion or belief are aware of their legal rights and if appropriate information and guidance is available to them.
  • Views on the effectiveness of current equality and human rights legislation on religion or belief.
  • The recent experiences of employers when these issues arise in the workplace.
  • The recent experience of organisations providing services to the public when issues around religion or belief are raised.

EHRC chief executive Mark Hammond said: ‘Everyone has the right to be treated with fairness, dignity and respect; that includes respect for people’s faith or beliefs, and respect for the rights of others.’

‘We are well aware of the complexity in dealing with such issues. Undertaking this major piece of work will help to build our understanding about how well the law is working so we can fully examine the adequacy of the current legal framework for religion or belief.’

The call for evidence remains open from today until mid-October. Contribute here.

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