What are ‘protected beliefs’ under the Equality Bill?

The Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC)has published a draft Employment Statutory Code of Practice, which advises that belief is not necessarily religion and can include philosophies such as humanism, atheism, scientology and even veganism.  

However, the government Equalities Office has responded: “The government does not think that views or opinions based on scientific, or indeed political, theories can be considered to be akin to religious beliefs or philosophical beliefs.¬† Nor was it the intention in introducing the legislation that such beliefs should be covered.”

These conflicting messages mean that employers will need to be very careful until there is further guidance and case law to rely upon.