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How is our work influencing life in Northern Ireland and delivering equality? Learn more about our policy, legal and research work.
 
 

Religion & Politics

The Equality Commission's work in the area of religious or similar philosophical belief and political opinion

Religious belief/Political opinion equality


Part of the Equality Commission's remit is to tackle unlawful discrimination and unlawful harassment on the grounds of religious or similar philosophical belief and political opinion.

Details about our work in this area can be found in various sections across the website, but the information here sets out current and recent policy and research work along with relevant publications and legislation.



We believe that equality, social attitudes and good relations are inextricably linked and must be central to all public policy decisions.  We work with government departments and with public and private employers to raise awareness and find solutions to issues which may give rise to inequalities.
 

'Together: Building a United Community'

We welcome the commitment in the NI Executive’s strategy ‘Together: Building a United Community’ of a framework for delivering good relations across a range of grounds.

We believe the three key areas that need addressed are:
 

  • Defining good relations
  • Measurements and outcomes
  • Ensuring compliance

 

Read our full response to the strategy (pdf)

Promoting good and harmonious workplaces

 

Merger of teacher training colleges

 

Investigations into public bodies’ non-compliance with their equality schemes

 

Recent press releases and articles

 

Recent legal cases

 
 

Programme for Government
The Equality Commission has set out its recommendations in relation to the next Programme for Government (PfG) and Budget of the NI Executive.  We have highlighted the need for a clear commitment in the PfG to address key inequalities experienced by S75 groups, underpinned by robust measures, as well as a commitment to promote good relations.  Read our key point briefing (pdf) or recommendations in full (pdf, 2016). Further information is available on the Programme for Government section of our website www.equalityni.org/pfg

 
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Research relating to religion and/or politics

Monitoring Report 33The total monitored workforce in 2019 was 578,403. This year’s report shows, for the first time since monitoring began, the share of the total monitored workforce from members of the Roman Catholic community was [50.1%] and was greater than from members of the Protestant community [49.9%].
 
In 2022,In the same period, the female share of the monitored workforce increased by 0.1 pp from the previous year (52.5%).

The monitored workforce consists of an estimated 62-65% 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

 

Working class Protestant boys underachieve in education

 

Employment in health and social care trusts - fair employment trends analysis

 

Equality Awareness Survey

 
 



   
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Publications relating to religious or similar philosophical belief and/or political opinion

We have produced a range of publications and short guides to provide information on religious or similar philosophical belief and political opinion related issues to individuals, employers and service providers.

 


Research
 

Consultation responses

 
 



   
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Religious or similar philosophical belief/Political opinion legislation

The Law
Equality and anti-discrimination law may be changed or updated. The law is also complex and can require interpretation. Please contact our discrimination advice team if you need clarification or guidance on what the law means. Email: discriminationadvice@equalityni.org or tel: 028 90 500 600.


Main law

 

• Fair Employment & Treatment (NI) Order 1998
(this is the revised version of the statute that incorporates all of the amendments that were made over the years up to and including 2003)

Supplementary laws

 

 



   
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