The Vegan Society publishes guidelines for employers after landmark ethical veganism ruling
The Vegan Society: The new judicial ruling will have far-reaching impact on employers. They need to adapt their workplace policies, practices and environment to accommodate ethical vegans.
JANE CLINTON: ‘The Vegan Society has created a booklet which set out guidelines for employers after a recent court ruling confirmed vegans in the workplace are protected by law. In January this year a case brought by Jordi Casamitjana ruled that ethical veganism qualifies as a philosophical belief for the purposes of the Equality Act 2010… The judge ruled that ethical vegans should be entitled to similar legal protections in British workplaces as those who hold religious beliefs…
According to The Vegan Society, the ruling will have “a far-reaching impact on employers” and they will need to “adapt their workplace policies, practices and environment to accommodate ethical vegans”… Staff should be trained about veganism and companies should examine their existing policies and practices in light of this…
Suggestions in the new booklet entitled “Supporting veganism in the workplace: A guide for employers” include offering non-leather safety footwear alternatives for vegan employees. Also with regard to meals, the employer should offer vegan options for employees… As for the work environment it warns that jokes or comments made in the vicinity of vegans that have the potential to offend could constitute unlawful harassment…
The Vegan Society’s spokesperson, Matt Turner, said: “This ruling and the protection it confirms for ethical vegans are long overdue. “The Vegan Society is happy to support any company that wants to take steps to improve life in the workplace for the hundreds of thousands of vegans in the UK”.’ SOURCE…
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