ChristopherWhite.info

So, if I signed a contract of employment that stipulated a dress code, and then chose to ignore it, I’d probably be disciplined.

But if I signed a contract of employment that stipulated a dress code, and then chose to ignore it because of my personal beliefs, I’d get paid £8,500.

Right…

Really this is about direct and indirect discrimination:

Direct discrimination

You have the right not to be treated less favourably than someone else (eg not being promoted) because of your religion or belief, your perceived religion or belief, or the religion or belief of people you associate with.

However, direct discrimination is allowed where religious belief is a necessary requirement for the job. For example, a Roman Catholic school may be able to restrict applications for a scripture teacher to baptized Catholics.

Indirect discrimination

You have the right not to be disadvantaged by a policy at work because of your religion or belief. If you’re a devout Muslim or Sikh for example, a head-covering policy for all employees could discriminate against you.

This kind of indirect discrimination may be unlawful, whether or not its done on purpose. Its only allowed if its necessary for the way the business works.

Direct discrimination — ok, it’s not cricket. But “indirect discrimination” is not discrimination.In the example given from DirectGov, the head-covering policy applies to all empoyees. If people feel that they cannot comply with it then that is their choice.

As another example, my uncle drives a lorry, and delivers to supermarkets. At one of these supermarkets he often has to unload the booze orders himself, because one of the employees that is supposed to unload the delivery is Muslim and refuses even to touch alcohol.

Personal beliefs, or that nebulous concept “religion”, are not a good enough excuse to simply refuse to do one’s job.

Terry Sanderson ends that CIF piece with:

It should now be OK to say: “Leave your religion at the door, please. And if you won’t and your religion doesn’t permit you to work in the way that this jobs demands you do, then please find another job that will.”

Yes, yes it should. Otherwise, “religion”, “personal beliefs”, or however one chooses to phrase it, simply translates as: “The rules do not apply to me.”

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