» Have Faith
Stonewall has new advice to help LGB and religious staff work together
Employers can download a free ten point guide explaining how to encourage people of faith and gay, lesbian and bisexual people to work alongside each other in harmony.
Stonewall produced the guide based on research among the 470 major employers with which it works, and Christian, Muslim, Jewish and Hindu focus groups. Religion and Sexual Orientation – How to manage relations in the workplace was funded by the Equality and Human Rights Commission.
Ben Summerskill, Stonewall chief executive, said: “We recognise that there are still some tensions between people of faith and the 1.7 million gay people in the British workplace. “By preparing for difficult situations, employers can manage potential conflicts with confidence.”
The guidance examines the legal position and the need for organisational clarity. Case studies demonstrate how employers can accommodate the needs of both sides in any disagreement.
“Many people of faith don’t have any problem with gay people”
Mr Summerskill said: “While the 500 employers who are members of Stonewall’s Diversity Champions Programme tell us that such conflicts are rare, employers also tell us that they’re less confident about preventing and responding to such incidents than they are to other forms of dispute.
“Recent YouGov polling found that people of faith in Britain are no more likely to be prejudiced against lesbian and gay people than anyone else. Happily, many people of faith don’t have any problem working, living, socialising or praying with lesbian, gay and bisexual people. This guide will help with the small minority who do.”
The report found some organisations had ended contracts with suppliers, including a Catholic diocese from whom they hired venues, because of homophobic attitudes. Organisations were most confident dealing with incidents when they had explicit equality and diversity policies in place.
In 2003, legislation was introduced to protect lesbian, gay and bisexual people from discrimination in the workplace. Similar laws were introduced in relation to religion and belief. Since 2007, it has been unlawful to discriminate when providing goods and services to lesbian and gay people, as well as to people of faith.
Last year a registrar brought a tribunal against Islington Council for refusing to let her opt out of conducting civil partnership ceremonies. She won, but the judgement was later overturned.
In June 2008 youth worker John Reaney was awarded £48,000 in a case against the Bishop of Hereford, who had refused to employ him on the grounds of his sexual orientation.
Download the guide from www.stonewall.org.uk/workplace/3442.asp
