BELIEVERS can wear crucifixes and other symbols at work, new official guidance will warn and dress codes will NOT be allowed to ban such items. Non-compliant companies could be fined or forced to pay compensation.
PA
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Equalities minister Victoria Atkins is rounding on religious intolerance as long as symbols do not interfere with the ability to do the job.
Five years ago Christian check-in clerk Nadia Eweida won her case against British Airways after it told her to hide her white gold cross.
Ms Atkins said that the Government would not put up with intolerance.
She said: “Discrimination in the workplace is not only completely unacceptable but also against the law. We will not stand for it.
“We live in an integrated and cohesive society with a proud tradition of religious tolerance and I want to see that reflected in workplaces across the country.
“As long as it doesn’t interfere with someone’s work they should just be allowed to get on with the job.”
Firms will be told they must be flexible with an understanding of religious beliefs.
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Workers should also get a say on proposed changes to rules on workplace wear, guidance by the Government Equalities Office will say this month.
It is also expected to clearly set out what companies can and cannot tell their staff.
The rules will state: “Employers should be flexible and not set dress codes which prohibit religious symbols that do not interfere with an employee’s work.”
The Church of England “welcomed this sensible decision”.
It added: “Christians who wish to show their faith by wearing a cross should be free to do so. Freedom of expression continues to be an important British value.”
Miss Eweida, from Twickenham, southwest London, was sent home in 2006 for refusing to remove or conceal her crucifix necklace.
In 2013 the European Court of Human Rights ruled in her favour against the airline.
The court found that the UK had failed to protect her “fundamental right” of freedom to manifest her faith in the workplace.
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But a similar challenge from nurse Shirley Chaplin was rejected and the hospital she worked at was told it could stop her wearing a cross on health and safety grounds.
BA has since changed its uniform policy to allow all symbols of faith.
Last year the European Court of Justice backed bans on wearing headscarves and other religious items, but only if they applied to different religions equally.
Legal experts said that the ruling would not apply to Britain until at least 2019 and could be reversed after Brexit.
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