News
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 Tuesday
- Holding a roundtable discussion in Canary Wharf with specific focus on issues facing the financial services sector on Tuesday
- Launching a Guide to Quiet Space on Wednesday
- Launching a Guide to Christmas on Thursday
It 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. For example:
Over half of EFB members have set up interfaith networks to support employees and provide a ready made focus group to ensure that effective consultation is made easier.
- Over 80% of EFB members provide prayer rooms or quiet space which are managed harmoniously by the users. As the EFB Guide to Quiet Space advises, it is important for employers to make sure the rooms are managed well and there are clear guidelines for how the space is used.
Naturally, attention is given to legal cases where religious or belief discrimination laws tested, such as the recent landmark ruling which gives environmentalism the same legal weight as religious belief. The EFB believes that it is re-examine these regulations to ensure that employers have clarity on the legislation and that the laws are not so broad that they result in unintended consequences.