What is religious discrimination 

 

Religious discrimination can occur when you don’t have the same religious or philosophical beliefs as someone else, or because you have no religious beliefs, and because of that someone treats you less favourably than somebody else who does share their religion or belief.

It can also happen because of the religious or philosophical beliefs of someone you are associated with, or if someone thinks you have certain beliefs when actually you do not.

There are four types of discrimination on grounds of religion or belief. Religious hate crimes are a criminal matter and are dealt with by the police.

Brief descriptions can be found below.

On this page

 

Direct discrimination

Direct religious discrimination is when you are treated less favourably because:

  • somebody does not like your religious or philosophical beliefs
  • you don’t have the same religious or philosophical beliefs as someone else, or you have none
  • someone associates you with somebody whose religious or philosophical beliefs they don’t like.


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Indirect discrimination

If an organisation has policies, criteria or processes that put you at a disadvantage because of your religious or philosophical beliefs, or because you have none, this may be indirect discrimination.


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Harrassment

Harassment because of religion or belief is behaviour that is intimidating, frightening or in any way distressing. Harassment can also be aimed at someone because they have no religion or belief.

Harassment in the workplace is unlawful on grounds of an individual’s religion or belief, or none, and is covered by the Employment Equality (Religion or Belief) Regulations 2003. This form of harassment is defined in law as unwanted conduct that violates a person’s dignity or creates an intimidating, hostile, degrading, humiliating or offensive environment.

Find out more about harassment at work.

Harassment on grounds of religion or belief may be obvious bullying or it can be unintentional or hidden. It can be aimed at:

  • your beliefs or religious practices
  • the religion or philosophical belief itself
  • a religion or belief that a person is associated with.

Harassment does not have to be aimed at an individual. A general culture of telling jokes about a certain religion, for example, might amount to harassment.

Organisations may be held responsible for harassment carried out by their staff in the workplace, or at an event or venue associated with work.


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Victimisation

Victimisation is when a person is treated badly because they have made a complaint about discrimination or have given evidence in a discrimination case.

This could include:

  • labelling the person a ‘troublemaker’
  • denying them opportunities or services they would normally have (such as a promotion at work)
  • ignoring them.

A person who victimises someone else can be forced to pay their victim compensation. This also applies to organisations that do not stop their employees victimising somebody.


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Hate crimes

If someone threatens, abuses or attacks you because of your religion or belief (or lack thereof), this may amount to what is called a ‘hate crime’. Hate crimes are criminal offences, and you should report them to the police.

Hate crimes can include:

  • physical attacks and damage to your property
  • offensive letters, emails or phone calls
  • groups of people intimidating you
  • insults or offensive leaflets or posters
  • dumping rubbish outside your home or through your letterbox
  • bullying at school or work.

If you are too frightened to speak to the police, you can report a hate crime anonymously through:


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