News
July 2010
Employers Tackling Discrimination Applauded at 2010 EFA & EFB Awards – 15 July 2010
"We are at an important point for equalities in Britain and we have the chance to make unlawful and unfair discrimination a thing of the past," Trevor Phillips, Chair of the Equality & Human Rights Commission, told the audience at the Employers Forum on Age (EFA) and Employers Forum on Belief (EFB) 2010 Awards yesterday (Tuesday 13 February). "When in as little as 20 years' time half the population will be over 50, discriminating against older workers is foolish. ...More Information
June 2010
Arbitrators Are Covered by Discrimination Law – 25 June 2010
Arbitrators are "employees" and protected against discrimination: being of a particular religious group not a genuine occupational requirement
The Times Legal Editor, Frances Gibb, has highlighted an interesting case, in which the Court of Appeal has ruled this week that arbitrators are covered by discrimination law because their appointment to assist in disputes constitutes a contract of employment. Writing in the Law Central column she says:"In a ruling with far-reaching implications, senior judges ruled that to object to an arbitrator on the grounds of race or religion was illegal. ...More Information
Alan Beazley from EFA/EFB Speaking at Single Equality Act Conference – 21 June 2010
The Diversity Group are holding a Single Equality Act Conference on the 14th October at the Novas Contemporary Urban Centre in Liverpool. Alan Beazley, Advice & Policy Specialist will be speaking. ...More Information
Equality Act Timetable – 18 June 2010
Suspicion has grown this week that the Government may be reconsidering the timetable for the implementation of some parts of the Equality Act, which had been widely expected to begin in stages from October 2010. News that the Government Equalities Office had removed the timetable from its website first broke in Personnel Today in an article which quotes a GEO spokeswoman as saying "An announcement on scheduling for implementation of the Equality Act will be made in due course. ...More Information
Employers have nothing to fear from faith – 15 June 2010
Rachel Krys, Campaign Director for EFB comments on faith in the workplace for The Independent. ...More Information
FIFA World Cup Guidance – 10 June 2010
No doubt many of you will be issuing guidance to managers and staff about absence management during the World Cup and there are some useful ideas to be found on the CIPD website.Our quick check shows only two major religious festivals which clash with the published match schedule (the Martyrdom of Guru Arjan Dev (Sikh) on June 16 clashes with Honduras - Chile, and Summer Solstice (Pagan) on June 21 clashes with Portugal - North Korea), so these shouldn't pose too many issues for UK employers! ...More Information
May 2010
In the Press... – 28 May 2010
"Employers have nothing to fear from faith" writes Kate Hilpern in The Independent, giving some useful tips on what to do to avoid or prevent some of the more common issues concerning religion or belief which arise in the workplace. Her article, which highlights some the EFB's own thinking. ...More Information
Nomura's multi-strand equality strategy – 27 May 2010
Nomura (members of the Employers Forum on Belief) has broken with sector-wide thinking on diversity and inclusion by launching a multi-stranded equality strategy.People Management article. ...More Information
Pagan Police Association gets Home Office Recognition – 13 May 2010
Endorsement would mean that a pagan officer’s request to take feast days as part of his or her annual leave must be treated in the same way as any other belief related request.The new association already has three official police chaplains and committee members in the Metropolitan, Hertfordshire and Humberside forces. As reported in The Times there is some fear that there is a growing number of these organisations within the police. ...More Information
March 2010
Nurse in crucifix battle – 29 March 2010
In a case which echoes Eweida v British Airways, Shirley Chaplin, a Christian nurse, today takes on her employer, the Royal Devon and Exeter NHS Trust, in the Exeter Employment Tribunal, claiming religious discrimination over its refusal last year to let her "wear a crucifix on a necklace or in any other manner which could constitute a health and safety risk whilst doing a clinical facing role in the hospital".
The Department of Health's practical guide on religion or belief states that: "NHS organisations that have policies regarding the wearing of jewellery or other symbolic items should factor in due consideration for items that are traditional within some religions or beliefs, unless the rules are for health and safety or other justifiable reasons. Some items of jewellery can be highly symbolic in certain religions and cultures, so any rules against the wearing of these must be justifiable so as not to constitute indirect discrimination. ...More Information
KFC trial halal only restaurants – 25 March 2010
In response to local customer demographics, KFC is trialling halal meals in selected UK outlets.On its website, KFC states: "For some time, we have received requests to provide halal food in parts of the UK, and as a result of this we are running a halal trial within communities where we anticipate a strong demand for halal products" - more here. This decision hasn't been welcomed by all: Some Muslim groups are concerned that the slaughtering methods used are in not in strict conformity with their religious requirements - more here. ...More Information
Date set for Equality Bill to enter its final stage – 25 March 2010
It has been confirmed that the House of Commons will consider the Lords amendments to the Equality Bill on the 6th April. This means that the Bill should receive Royal Assent before the election and avoid the wash-up. ...More Information
Churches Quit Religion Forum – 24 March 2010
The Times reports today that the EHRC's religion and belief consultative group, which included representatives of major religious groups alongside secular groups, is in disarray as the Church of England pulls out of the group condemning it as "not fit for purpose".
The Times reports today that the EHRC's religion and belief consultative group, which included representatives of major religious groups alongside secular groups, is in disarray as the Church of England pulls out of the group condemning it as "not fit for purpose".The full article can be found here. ...More Information
EFA & EFB Awards - Enter Now! – 2 March 2010
The EFA & EFB Awards, partnered with NESTA, provide a fantastic opportunity for leading employers to showcase and share innovative ways in which they have tackled prejudice and overturned outdated practices in the workplace.
Open to all employers; the Awards recognise the achievements of organisations that have taken a lead in challenging age discrimination and/or religion or belief discrimination.
Our judges are looking for entries that are either outstanding or innovative in one specific area or demonstrate an overall approach to successfully embed best practice in the organisation.
You can enter as many categories as you want free of charge. Evidence can include results in the form of statistics, employee testimonies or other quantitative/qualitative measures.
The Awards will be presented this Summer at a high profile ceremony in Central London.
EFA Awards Best Public Sector - InnovationBest Public Sector - Overall approachBest Private Sector - InnovationBest Private Sector - Overall approachEFB Awards Best Public Sector - InnovationBest Public Sector - Overall approach Best Private Sector - InnovationBest Private Sector - Overall approachOverall Award Best Small Organisation AwardDOWNLOAD AN ENTRY FORM HERE Submit your entry by Wednesday 30 April 2010. For further information, contact: Gillian Appleby Tel: 020 7785 6540 E-mail: gillian. ...More Information
November 2009
Employers Forum On Belief Launches Practical Guidance To Coincide With Inter Faith Week – 13 November 2009
The Employers Forum on Belief (EFB) has a range of activities to coincide with Inter Faith Week, which will run from 15-21 November 2009. As well as strengthening good inter faith relations, the week aims to increase understanding between people.
The EFB will be using Inter Faith Week as an opportunity to raise the profile of the issues facing employers on religion or belief. Activities will include:Launching a Guide to Establishing and Managing Faith Networks on TuesdayHolding a roundtable discussion in Canary Wharf with specific focus on issues facing the financial services sector on TuesdayLaunching a Guide to Quiet Space on WednesdayLaunching a Guide to Christmas on ThursdayIt is important to acknowledge how many employers do mange their religiously diverse workforces and the practical solutions that many offer to accommodate those beliefs within the workplace. ...More Information
September 2009
EFA/EFB Response to Public Sector Duties Consultation – 30 September 2009
The Equality Bill sets out general public sector duties on equality which will be supplemented by a set of specific duties to be introduced in secondary legislation. The Government published proposals on the specific duties in July and you can find our response to the consultation below. ...More Information
August 2009
Employers Forum On Belief Launches An Employers Guide To Ramadan – 10 August 2009
To help employers understand the needs of staff during this period the Employers Forum on Belief (EFB) has produced a fact sheet which includes information and suggestions for changes which they can make to working conditions for those observing Ramadan.There are over 1.6 million Muslims living in the UK and many will observe Ramadan which begins next week. ...More Information
March 2009
"Economic recession must not lead to social recession - diversity in the workplace is core to business growth." – 4 March 2009
Employers Forum on Age and Employers Forum on Belief event delivers strong message on maintaining diversity in challenging times for business.
Embracing a new era of diversity and equality at work was hailed as crucial for businesses hoping to emerge fitter and healthier after the recession, at The Employers Forum on Age (EFA) and The Employers Forum on Belief (EFB) 'One Size doesn't fit all' conference which took place last week. Keynote speaker Trevor Philips, Chair of the Equality and Human Rights Commission, made a strong call to business to prevent the economic recession becoming a social recession. ...More Information
HR Zone Article: Diversity is not a single issue – 3 March 2009
Diversity is not a single issue. ...More Information
January 2009
'Diversity is core to business growth' - Trevor Phillips and Joan Bakewell outline their vision for the work place – 20 January 2009
Conference hosted by Employers Forum on Age and Employers Forum on Belief will help employers tackle diversity issues in the face of challenging times for business.
For the first time, The Employers Forum on Age (EFA) and The Employers Forum on Belief (EFB) are joining forces to create one must-attend conference and award ceremony for all HR and Diversity directors and specialists. The event is taking place on 26th February 2009 and will focus on issues surrounding age, religion and belief in the workplace, including speeches by prominent decision makers in the diversity arena. ...More Information
November 2008
Last Chance to Enter Esteemed Equality in the Workplace Awards 2009 – 20 November 2008
Countdown to the Employers Forum on Age (EFA) and the Employers Forum on Belief (EFB) 'One size doesn't fit all' Conference and Awards ceremony.LAST CHANCE TO ENTER ESTEEMED EQUALITY IN THE WORKPLACE AWARDS 2009There are just two weeks left to enter the 2009 Employers Forum on Age awards for 'Equality in the Workplace'. These awards showcase the achievements of organisations that have taken a lead in promoting workplace wellbeing and age diversity in the UK. ...More Information
June 2008
The Employers Forum On Age Responds To The Publication Of Draft Equality Bill – 26 June 2008
The Employers Forum on Age, the UK's leading authority on age, believes that employers, who are vital to achieving equality in the UK, must not be sidelined in the drive for more legislation. Today The Employers Forum on Age (EFA), the UK's leading authority on age, comments on the Government's introduction of a draft Equality Bill proposing a major shakeup of discrimination laws in the UK that will have far-reaching effects for everyone, especially older people. Rachel Krys, Director of the EFA comments: "Today's publication of the draft Equality Bill has been a long time coming - and we are pleased to see that ageism is now being treated as seriously as sexism and racism. ...More Information
February 2008
Four New Trustees For Employers Forum On Age And Employers Forum On Belief – 5 February 2008
The Employers Forum on Age (EFA) and Employers Forum on Religion and Belief (EFB) are pleased to announce the appointment of four new trustees.
The Employers Forum on Age (EFA) and Employers Forum on Religion and Belief (EFB) are pleased to announce the appointment of four new trustees. Tracey Dennison, Janet Gaymer, Martin Tiplady and Sam Mercer join the existing board of seven trustees. ...More Information
January 2008
Business Leaders Unite To Tackle 'Cinderella' Of Faith In Workplace – 11 January 2008
The Employers Forum on Belief (EFB) held its first public meeting today at the House of Lords, hosted by Lord Dennis Stevenson of Coddenham and with speakers including Trevor Phillips, Chair of the Equality & Human Rights Commission.
The Employers Forum on Belief (EFB) held its first public meeting today at the House of Lords, hosted by Lord Dennis Stevenson of Coddenham and with speakers including Trevor Phillips, Chair of the Equality & Human Rights Commission. The EFB was established in 2004 by a small group of employers. ...More Information
April 2005
Employers Forum on Belief Launches at the BT Centre – 26 April 2005
The Employers Forum on Belief (EFB) has been set up by 11 leading employers to develop and share good practice on issues relating to religion and belief in the workplace.
Today, BT Centre sees the launch of a groundbreaking new initiative, with eleven major UK employers, on the complex issue of belief. The Employers Forum on Belief (EFB) has been set up to establish and share good practice on religion and belief in the workplace. ...More Information