Lawyers receive increasing religious complaints

27/05/2008

Workers in legal jobs are handling an increasing number of lawsuits relating to the country's anti-discrimination laws on religious grounds, the Financial Times has reported.

Search company, Google, was recently attacked by the Christian Institute - it filed a lawsuit against the firm for refusing its anti-abortion search adverts.

The paper noted a claim made against Islington Council by the same religious group. It supported Lillian Ladele, registrar, when she refused on religious grounds, to marry same-sex couples.

British Airways was lambasted for stopping a worker displaying her crucifix and a number of cases have risen regarding the wearing of Islamic dress.

Samantha Mangwana, an employment lawyer at Russell Jones & Walk, told the FT firms need to try and accommodate their workers' beliefs.

"Companies can really get into hot water if they disregard these matters," she advised.

Workers are protected by the Employment Equality (Religion or Belief) Regulations 2003 and should expect equal treatment regardless of their religious beliefs.

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