Events

Employers Forum on Belief
‘get to know us’ introductory sessions
*New dates and venues added*
These introductory sessions, available to all, provide an overview of the work of the Employers Forum on Belief and how we can help you comply with the law but also to understand the changes you could make to enable workers of any faith or belief to contribute full to the workplace.

For more information click here

EFB Mock Tribunal
Date: 20 May 2010
The Employers Forum on Belief in association with Lewis Silkin invites you to a Mock Tribunal. The only time you’ll get to go to a tribunal where everyone’s a winner! This is a unique opportunity to hear from a lawyer, tribunal judge and barrister in a simulated hearing focussed on discrimination on grounds of religion or belief.

Experience the drama and tension of a tribunal first hand but without paying the penalty if you get things wrong.

For more information click here

Speed networking
We had an overwhelmingly positive response to a recent speed networking event with members of the Employers Forum on Belief. Delegates were very interested in how others had dealt with a variety of situations, including; faith networks, prayer spaces, monitoring and more. Here is some of the feedback from the day. Don't forget to check out our events and book yourself a place.

Comments overheard on the day…

It’s been a really good event. It’s really interesting to hear how different employers tackle this subject. I’m surprised at how many had faith based workplace networks, and also surprised by some who didn’t. It’s something we need to consider.
It’s interesting and useful to know how other organisations deal with religion and belief. Some have no separate policy dealing with these issues, instead they deal with each query or request on a case by case basis and encourage managers to sit down and talk through the issue with the individual concerned, and to think about the impact on the business and make the appropriate decision. I think this is something we could emulate as it helps to develop our managers.
Currently our timetable is as follows:

The discussion about monitoring was fascinating; I learnt a lot from other participants especially about how different companies are at different stages of the equality journey. It’s good to know there’s advice on how to start this process. It’s important to make a start and ensure that you don’t treat one group less favourably that another. If you don’t measure how can you know?

I was surprised to hear that some of the prayer rooms that have been set up are not as well used as it was thought they would be. Where this happens and space is at a premium it’s hard to see how this space can be taken back for other use without causing disagreement and upset. It’s a good idea to call them quiet or contemplation rooms, this gives the message that they are for the use of all employees.

We operate in a global context; the pressure is on us to get this right in a number of different national contexts. Equally I’m under pressure to provide statistics that underscore our company diversity. Events like this offer me the opportunity to identify the best way forward.

Organisations like the EFB offer real value for money, in the current climate where value for money really counts I think its better to belong to organisations like the EFB  rather than going to expensive conferences and seminars.