Shared understandings: a new EHRC strategy to strengthen
understanding of religion or belief in public life
The Commission’s vision
Over the past few years, high profile legal cases have excited much controversy about the
legal protections for religion or belief rights. However this has not led to clarity around
these issues. The Commission’s vision is for better public understanding of equality and
human rights law, achieved through open discussion conducted with mutual respect and
tolerance. To achieve this vision, the Commission has developed a new strategy to inform
its future work.
How did we develop our strategy?
The Commission wanted to understand stakeholders’ diverse views about the
effectiveness of equality and human rights law, and what we and others could do to create
a more balanced and tolerant approach to discussing contentious issues. So we
commissioned London Metropolitan University to undertake research for us, and also
organised a series of policy-focused dialogue events with Goldsmiths (University of
London), and the Co-exist Foundation. Stakeholders told us that they wanted us to:
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explore whether existing law is fit for purpose;
produce guidance and training on the implications of the law for employers; and
provide forums for discussion of contentious issues.
We used the ideas and views of stakeholders to inform our strategy.
The Commission’s new strategy
To create a more informed, balanced and tolerant approach to religion or belief issues, the
Commission will work to:
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improve understanding and practice by employers in managing religious diversity in
the workplace, and balancing the right to hold and manifest a religion or belief and
the right to express an opinion with other rights and freedoms;
create a more balanced and reasonable public dialogue on religion or belief issues;
and
assess the effectiveness of existing legislation and explore whether the law offers
sufficient protection for people with a religious or other belief.
This strategy reflects the Commission’s statutory duties to promote understanding of rights
under the Equality Act 2010, to encourage the development of a society in which there is
mutual respect between groups based on valuing diversity and shared respect and to
advise on the effectiveness of the equality and human rights law.
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How will we deliver our strategy?
To improve understanding and practice by employers and service providers we will:
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provide guidance on specific topics where an authoritative view from the Commission
will help clarify difficult issues. We have begun work on guidance explaining the
Marriage (Same Sex Couples) Act, and will identify other suitable issues in
partnership with key stakeholders;
work with partner organisations to update general guidance for employees and
employers on managing religion or belief in the workplace;
explore opportunities for working with faith-based employers and service providers
about the implications of equality and human rights law;
consider innovative ways of delivering guidance using digital resources; and
provide training about managing religion or belief issues in the workplace.
To create a more balanced and reasonable public dialogue on religion or belief,
issues, we will:
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strengthen our relationships with stakeholders by providing opportunities to discuss
significant issues and understand different perspectives;
develop our relationships with businesses in England, Scotland and Wales to ensure
our guidance is relevant and useful to employers; and
create opportunities for open dialogue and involvement of stakeholders in the
Commission’s work.
To assess the effectiveness of existing legislation, we will:
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consider the ways in which our legal framework is effective or ineffective in protecting
religion or belief rights; and
make recommendations based on our findings.
The Commission will talk and consult widely with stakeholders, including with an informal
senior advisory group, to ensure that its work leads to greater understanding of equality
and human rights law, and promotes balance, tolerance and mutual respect.
If you would like to find out more, please contact:
Karen Jochelson
Director of the Economy and Employment Programme
karen.jochelson@equalityhumanrights.com
Dave Perfect
Research Manager
david.perfect@equalityhumanrights.com
October 2013
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