Research relating to religion and/or politics
Fair Employment Monitoring Report No. 30

The total monitored workforce in 2019 was 564,826 an increase of 1,597 (0.3%) from the previous year. The breakdown of the monitored workforce by community background was [50.5%] Protestant and [49.5%] Roman Catholic, an increase in the Catholic share of [0.2 percentage points] from the previous year.
In 2019, the female share increased to 52.3% from 51.8% the previous year. Women have increased their share of the monitored workforce almost every year between 2001 (50.4%) and 2010 (52.7%).
In 2019, Roman Catholics represented [53.1%] and Protestants [46.9%] of all applicants, and Roman Catholics represented [53.3%] and Protestants [46.7%] of all appointees.
The monitored workforce consists of an estimated 64 - 65% of those in employment and covers private and public employers, with 11 or more employees working 16 hours or more, who are required to
monitor the composition of their workforce in terms of community background and sex.
Further information:
The Teacher Exception Provision and Equality in Employment in NI
In fulfilment of its duty to keep under review the school teachers exception in FETO, and in preparation for the Single Equality legislation, the Equality Commission decided to begin enquiries into the present structure of education, the arrangements for the
employment of teachers, and the options for the narrowing of the exception.
Working class Protestant boys underachieve in education
In 2007 our research indicated concerns about underachievement among working class pupils and in particular working class Protestant boys in their educational achievement.
Employment in health and social care trusts - fair employment trends analysis
In addition to the monitored workforce of Northern Ireland, we conducted an examination in 2012, of employment in the health and social care trusts. Our report shows the changing picture of fair employment and the positive impact of planned changes.
Equality Awareness Survey
A Question of Attitude (2018)

We asked respondents a series of 'social distance' questions to assess public attitudes towards ten equality groups. The scenarios explored how comfortable people felt with varying degrees of closeness to a member of a 'different' group. Respondents were asked whether they 'would mind' or 'would not mind' having a member of each group as a work colleague, a neighbour or if one of the group members were to marry a close relative.
Do You Mean Me? (2011)
The Commission's equality awareness survey '
Do You Mean Me?' includes social attitudes in Northern Ireland on a number of equality grounds, including religious belief/political opinion.