Action Alert for Christians in the UK: "Tell the Government about Being a Christian at Work"

Aimee Herd/CC Staff : Aug 15, 2014
Christian Concern

This is a good opportunity [for Christians in the UK] to help the EHRC better understand the issues involved in protecting freedom of religion and belief. The research will inform future advice to employers and government.

The UK-based group, Christian Concern, has sent out a call for Believers living there to give the government some input, on their own experiences as a Christian in the workplace. Below is their alert:

The Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC) has today launched a call for evidence as part of a major research project concerned with freedom of religion and belief in the UK.

The EHRC wants to hear from individuals and organisations about how their religion or belief (or that of other people) has affected their experiences in the workplace and in using the services and facilities they need in everyday life.

'Significant for the future of Christian freedoms'
This is a good opportunity to help the EHRC better understand the issues involved in protecting freedom of religion and belief. The research will inform future advice to employers and government.

Please have a look at the call for evidence here and consider whether you have an experience (positive or negative) that you could contribute. Please also let others know about it. Click here to respond and give your input.

Background
The EHRC is a public body tasked by Parliament to 'challenge discrimination, and protect and promote human rights'.

Speaking about the call for evidence, the Commission has said today: "This will be used to assess how employers and service providers are taking religion or belief into account and the impact this has on individuals. We want to hear about the issues people face and how they find solutions. This research is part of a three-year Commission programme to strengthen understanding of religion or belief in public life, improve knowledge about what happens in practice and ensure that the laws that protect everyone’s right to be treated with fairness, dignity and respect are effective."

The EHRC is seeking information about actual experiences since 2010 rather than general opinions or viewpoints. However, these experiences could include occasions where you have 'self-censored' (e.g. kept quiet or changed job) because of concerns about how you would be treated as a result of your Christian identity.

It is important that the EHRC builds up an accurate picture of both current challenges and good practice. This could be significant in ensuring that freedom of religion and belief is properly understood and protected in the years to come.

Possible scenarios
The EHRC is interested in your experience. Perhaps you have encountered one of the following situations - or something similar?

If so, please take a few moments to respond to the call for evidence. You can always answer in the section 'Anything else that you'd like to tell us' if your response doesn't fit elsewhere.