§ Mr. BellinghamTo ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry (1) which religions are to be protected under the Equal Treatment at Work Directive; [142842]
814W(2) if she will make a statement on which philosophical beliefs are to be protected by the Equal Treatment at Work Directive; and what guidance her Department has offered to companies on how to make an assessment of this. [142849]
§ Jacqui SmithThis aspect of the Employment Directive is implemented by the Employment Equality (Religion or Belief) Regulations 2003. The regulations define "religion or belief' as "any religion, religious belief, or similar philosophical belief". It will be for the courts and tribunals to determine, in accordance with the Directive's requirements, whether a religion or belief falls within this definition. However, guidance to help employers put the new legislation into effect is available from Acas, and on the website acas.org.uk. In addition the Acas national helpline (08457 47 47 47) is able to offer advice on employment related issues.
The reference to "religion" includes religions such as Christianity, Islam, Hinduism, Judaism, Buddhism, Sikhism, Rastafarianism, Baha'is, Zoroastrians and Jains. Branches or sects within a religion can be considered as a religion or religious belief, such as Catholics or Protestants within the Christian church.
The reference to "similar philosophical belief" includes philosophical belief which is similar to a religious belief in that it is a profound belief affecting a person's way of life, or perception of the world. The belief should occupy a place in the person's life parallel to that filled by the God or Gods of those holding a particular religious belief.