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STATUTORY INSTRUMENTS


2003 No. 1660

EMPLOYMENT AND TRAINING

RELIGION OR BELIEF DISCRIMINATION

The Employment Equality (Religion or Belief) Regulations 2003

  Made 26th June 2003 
  Coming into force 2nd December 2003 


ARRANGEMENT OF REGULATIONS


PART I

GENERAL
1. Citation, commencement and extent
2. Interpretation
3. Discrimination on grounds of religion or belief
4. Discrimination by way of victimisation
5. Harassment on grounds of religion or belief

PART II

DISCRIMINATION IN EMPLOYMENT AND VOCATIONAL TRAINING
6. Applicants and employees
7. Exception for genuine occupational requirement
8. Contract workers
9. Meaning of employment and contract work at establishment in Great Britain
10. Office-holders etc
11. Police
12. Barristers
13. Advocates
14. Partnerships
15. Trade organisations
16. Qualifications bodies
17. Providers of vocational training
18. Employment agencies, careers guidance etc
19. Assisting persons to obtain employment etc
20. Institutions of further and higher education
21. Relationships which have come to an end

PART III

OTHER UNLAWFUL ACTS
22. Liability of employers and principals
23. Aiding unlawful acts

PART IV

GENERAL EXCEPTIONS FROM PARTS II AND III
24. Exception for national security
25. Exceptions for positive action
26. Protection of Sikhs from discrimination in connection with requirements as to wearing of safety helmets

PART V

ENFORCEMENT
27. Restriction of proceedings for breach of Regulations
28. Jurisdiction of employment tribunals
29. Burden of proof: employment tribunals
30. Remedies on complaints in employment tribunals
31. Jurisdiction of county and sheriff courts
32. Burden of proof: county and sheriff courts
33. Help for persons in obtaining information etc
34. Period within which proceedings to be brought

PART VI

SUPPLEMENTAL
35. Validity of contracts, collective agreements and rules of undertakings
36. Application to the Crown etc
37. Application to House of Commons staff
38. Application to House of Lords staff
39. Savings of, and amendments to, legislation

SCHEDULES:

  Schedule 1 -  Norwegian part of the Frigg Gas Field

  Schedule 2 -  Questionnaire of person aggrieved

  Schedule 3 -  Reply by respondent

  Schedule 4 -  Validity of contracts, collective agreements and rules of undertakings

  Schedule 5 -  Amendments to legislation

Whereas a draft of these Regulations was laid before Parliament in accordance with paragraph 2 of Schedule 2 to the European Communities Act 1972[
1], and was approved by resolution of each House of Parliament;

     Now, therefore, the Secretary of State, being a Minister designated for the purposes of section 2(2) of the European Communities Act 1972 in relation to discrimination[2], in exercise of the powers conferred by that section, hereby makes the following Regulations: - 



PART 1

GENERAL

Citation, commencement and extent
     1.  - (1) These Regulations may be cited as the Employment Equality (Religion or Belief) Regulations 2003, and shall come into force on 2nd December 2003.

    (2) These Regulations do not extend to Northern Ireland.

Interpretation
    
2.  - (1) In these Regulations, "religion or belief" means any religion, religious belief, or similar philosophical belief.

    (2) In these Regulations, references to discrimination are to any discrimination falling within regulation 3 (discrimination on grounds of religion or belief) or 4 (discrimination by way of victimisation) and related expressions shall be construed accordingly, and references to harassment shall be construed in accordance with regulation 5 (harassment on grounds of religion or belief).

    (3) In these Regulations - 

Discrimination on grounds of religion or belief
     3.  - (1) For the purposes of these Regulations, a person ("A") discriminates against another person ("B") if - 

    (2) The reference in paragraph (1)(a) to religion or belief does not include A's religion or belief.

    (3) A comparison of B's case with that of another person under paragraph (1) must be such that the relevant circumstances in the one case are the same, or not materially different, in the other.

Discrimination by way of victimisation
    
4.  - (1) For the purposes of these Regulations, a person ("A") discriminates against another person ("B") if he treats B less favourably than he treats or would treat other persons in the same circumstances, and does so by reason that B has - 

or by reason that A knows that B intends to do any of those things, or suspects that B has done or intends to do any of them.

    (2) Paragraph (1) does not apply to treatment of B by reason of any allegation made by him, or evidence or information given by him, if the allegation, evidence or information was false and not made (or, as the case may be, given) in good faith.

Harassment on grounds of religion or belief
    
5.  - (1) For the purposes of these Regulations, a person ("A") subjects another person ("B") to harassment where, on grounds of religion or belief, A engages in unwanted conduct which has the purpose or effect of - 

    (2) Conduct shall be regarded as having the effect specified in paragraph (1)(a) or (b) only if, having regard to all the circumstances, including in particular the perception of B, it should reasonably be considered as having that effect.



PART II

DISCRIMINATION IN EMPLOYMENT AND VOCATIONAL TRAINING

Applicants and employees
    
6.  - (1) It is unlawful for an employer, in relation to employment by him at an establishment in Great Britain, to discriminate against a person - 

    (2) It is unlawful for an employer, in relation to a person whom he employs at an establishment in Great Britain, to discriminate against that person - 

    (3) It is unlawful for an employer, in relation to employment by him at an establishment in Great Britain, to subject to harassment a person whom he employs or who has applied to him for employment.

    (4) Paragraph (2) does not apply to benefits of any description if the employer is concerned with the provision (for payment or not) of benefits of that description to the public, or to a section of the public which includes the employee in question, unless - 

    (5) In paragraph (2)(d) reference to the dismissal of a person from employment includes reference - 

Exception for genuine occupational requirement
    
7.  - (1) In relation to discrimination falling within regulation 3 (discrimination on grounds of religion or belief) - 

where paragraph (2) or (3) applies.

    (2) This paragraph applies where, having regard to the nature of the employment or the context in which it is carried out - 

    (3) This paragraph applies where an employer has an ethos based on religion or belief and, having regard to that ethos and to the nature of the employment or the context in which it is carried out - 

Contract workers
    
8.  - (1) It is unlawful for a principal, in relation to contract work at an establishment in Great Britain, to discriminate against a contract worker - 

    (2) It is unlawful for a principal, in relation to contract work at an establishment in Great Britain, to subject a contract worker to harassment.

    (3) A principal does not contravene paragraph (1)(b) by doing any act in relation to a contract worker where, if the work were to be done by a person taken into the principal's employment, that act would be lawful by virtue of regulation 7 (exception for genuine occupational requirement).

    (4) Paragraph (1) does not apply to benefits of any description if the principal is concerned with the provision (for payment or not) of benefits of that description to the public, or to a section of the public to which the contract worker in question belongs, unless that provision differs in a material respect from the provision of the benefits by the principal to his contract workers.

    (5) In this regulation - 

Meaning of employment and contract work at establishment in Great Britain
    
9.  - (1) For the purposes of this Part ("the relevant purposes"), employment is to be regarded as being at an establishment in Great Britain if the employee - 

    (2) This paragraph applies if - 

    (3) The reference to "employment" in paragraph (1) includes - 

    (4) Subject to paragraph (5), for the purposes of determining if employment concerned with the exploration of the sea bed or sub-soil or the exploitation of their natural resources is outside Great Britain, this regulation has effect as if references to Great Britain included - 

    (5) Paragraph (4) shall not apply to employment which is concerned with the exploration or exploitation of the Frigg Gas Field unless the employer is - 

    (6) In this regulation - 

    (7) This regulation applies in relation to contract work within the meaning of regulation 8 as it applies in relation to employment; and, in its application to contract work, references to "employee", "employer" and "employment" are references to (respectively) "contract worker", "principal" and "contract work" within the meaning of regulation 8.

Office-holders etc
     10.  - (1) It is unlawful for a relevant person, in relation to an appointment to an office or post to which this regulation applies, to discriminate against a person - 

    (2) It is unlawful, in relation to an appointment to an office or post to which this regulation applies and which is an office or post referred to in paragraph (8)(b), for a relevant person on whose recommendation (or subject to whose approval) appointments to the office or post are made, to discriminate against a person - 

    (3) It is unlawful for a relevant person, in relation to a person who has been appointed to an office or post to which this regulation applies, to discriminate against him - 

    (4) It is unlawful for a relevant person, in relation to an office or post to which this regulation applies, to subject to harassment a person - 

    (5) Paragraphs (1) and (3) do not apply to any act in relation to an office or post where, if the office or post constituted employment, that act would be lawful by virtue of regulation 7 (exception for genuine occupational requirement); and paragraph (2) does not apply to any act in relation to an office or post where, if the office or post constituted employment, it would be lawful by virtue of regulation 7 to refuse to offer the person such employment.

    (6) Paragraph (3) does not apply to benefits of any description if the relevant person is concerned with the provision (for payment or not) of benefits of that description to the public, or a section of the public to which the person appointed belongs, unless - 

    (7) In paragraph (3)(c) the reference to the termination of the appointment includes a reference - 

    (8) This regulation applies to - 

but not to a political office or a case where regulation 6 (applicants and employees), 8 (contract workers), 12 (barristers), 13 (advocates) or 14 (partnerships) applies, or would apply but for the operation of any other provision of these Regulations.

    (9) For the purposes of paragraph (8)(a) the holder of an office or post - 

    (10) In this regulation - 

Police
     11.  - (1) For the purposes of this Part, the holding of the office of constable shall be treated as employment - 

    (2) For the purposes of regulation 22 (liability of employers and principals) - 

    (3) There shall be paid out of the police fund - 

    (4) Any proceedings under these Regulations which, by virtue of paragraph (1), would lie against a chief officer of police shall be brought against the chief officer of police for the time being or, in the case of a vacancy in that office, against the person for the time being performing the functions of that office; and references in paragraph (3) to the chief officer of police shall be construed accordingly.

    (5) A police authority may, in such cases and to such extent as appear to it to be appropriate, pay out of the police fund - 

    (6) Paragraphs (1) and (2) apply to a police cadet and appointment as a police cadet as they apply to a constable and the office of constable.

    (7) Subject to paragraph (8), in this regulation - 

    (8) In relation to a constable of a force who is not under the direction and control of the chief officer of police for that force, references in this regulation to the chief officer of police are references to the chief officer of the force under whose direction and control he is, and references in this regulation to the police authority are references to the relevant police authority for that force.

Barristers
     12.  - (1) It is unlawful for a barrister or barrister's clerk, in relation to any offer of a pupillage or tenancy, to discriminate against a person - 

    (2) It is unlawful for a barrister or barrister's clerk, in relation to a pupil or tenant in the set of chambers in question, to discriminate against him - 

    (3) It is unlawful for a barrister or barrister's clerk, in relation to a pupillage or tenancy in the set of chambers in question, to subject to harassment a person who is, or has applied to be, a pupil or tenant.

    (4) It is unlawful for any person, in relation to the giving, withholding or acceptance of instructions to a barrister, to discriminate against any person by subjecting him to a detriment, or to subject him to harassment.

    (5) In this regulation - 

    (6) This regulation extends to England and Wales only.

Advocates
    
13.  - (1) It is unlawful for an advocate, in relation to taking any person as his pupil, to discriminate against a person - 

    (2) It is unlawful for an advocate, in relation to a person who is his pupil, to discriminate against him - 

    (3) It is unlawful for an advocate, in relation to a person who is his pupil or taking any person as his pupil, to subject such a person to harassment.

    (4) It is unlawful for any person, in relation to the giving, withholding or acceptance of instructions to an advocate, to discriminate against any person by subjecting him to a detriment, or to subject him to harassment.

    (5) In this regulation - 

    (6) This regulation extends to Scotland only.

Partnerships
    
14.  - (1) It is unlawful for a firm, in relation to a position as partner in the firm, to discriminate against a person - 

    (2) It is unlawful for a firm, in relation to a position as partner in the firm, to subject to harassment a person who holds or has applied for that position.

    (3) Paragraphs (1)(a) to (c) and (2) apply in relation to persons proposing to form themselves into a partnership as they apply in relation to a firm.

    (4) Paragraph (1) does not apply to any act in relation to a position as partner where, if the position were employment, that act would be lawful by virtue of regulation 7 (exception for genuine occupational requirement).

    (5) In the case of a limited partnership references in this regulation to a partner shall be construed as references to a general partner as defined in section 3 of the Limited Partnerships Act 1907[
18].

    (6) This regulation applies to a limited liability partnership as it applies to a firm; and, in its application to a limited liability partnership, references to a partner in a firm are references to a member of the limited liability partnership.

    (7) In this regulation, "firm" has the meaning given by section 4 of the Partnership Act 1890[19].

    (8) In paragraph (1)(d) reference to the expulsion of a person from a position as partner includes reference - 

Trade organisations
     15.  - (1) It is unlawful for a trade organisation to discriminate against a person - 

    (2) It is unlawful for a trade organisation, in relation to a member of the organisation, to discriminate against him - 

    (3) It is unlawful for a trade organisation, in relation to a person's membership or application for membership of that organisation, to subject that person to harassment.

    (4) In this regulation - 

Qualifications bodies
    
16.  - (1) It is unlawful for a qualifications body to discriminate against a person - 

    (2) It is unlawful for a qualifications body, in relation to a professional or trade qualification conferred by it, to subject to harassment a person who holds or applies for such a qualification.

    (3) In this regulation - 

Providers of vocational training
    
17.  - (1) It is unlawful, in relation to a person seeking or undergoing training which would help fit him for any employment, for any training provider to discriminate against him - 

    (2) It is unlawful for a training provider, in relation to a person seeking or undergoing training which would help fit him for any employment, to subject him to harassment.

    (3) Paragraph (1) does not apply if the discrimination only concerns training for employment which, by virtue of regulation 7 (exception for genuine occupational requirement), the employer could lawfully refuse to offer the person seeking training.

    (4) In this regulation - 

Employment agencies, careers guidance etc
    
18.  - (1) It is unlawful for an employment agency to discriminate against a person - 

    (2) It is unlawful for an employment agency, in relation to a person to whom it provides its services, or who has requested it to provide its services, to subject that person to harassment.

    (3) Paragraph (1) does not apply to discrimination if it only concerns employment which, by virtue of regulation 7 (exception for genuine occupational requirement), the employer could lawfully refuse to offer the person in question.

    (4) An employment agency shall not be subject to any liability under this regulation if it proves that - 

    (5) A person who knowingly or recklessly makes a statement such as is referred to in paragraph (4)(a) which in a material respect is false or misleading commits an offence, and shall be liable on summary conviction to a fine not exceeding level 5 on the standard scale.

    (6) For the purposes of this regulation - 

Assisting persons to obtain employment etc
    
19.  - (1) It is unlawful for the Secretary of State to discriminate against any person by subjecting him to a detriment, or to subject a person to harassment, in the provision of facilities or services under section 2 of the Employment and Training Act 1973[20] (arrangements for assisting persons to obtain employment).

    (2) It is unlawful for Scottish Enterprise or Highlands and Islands Enterprise to discriminate against any person by subjecting him to a detriment, or to subject a person to harassment, in the provision of facilities or services under such arrangements as are mentioned in section 2(3) of the Enterprise and New Towns (Scotland) Act 1990[21] (arrangements analogous to arrangements in pursuance of the said Act of 1973).

    (3) This regulation does not apply in a case where - 

Institutions of further and higher education
     20.  - (1) It is unlawful, in relation to an educational establishment to which this regulation applies, for the governing body of that establishment to discriminate against a person - 

    (2) It is unlawful, in relation to an educational establishment to which this regulation applies, for the governing body of that establishment to subject to harassment a person who is a student at the establishment, or who has applied for admission to the establishment as a student.

    (3) Paragraph (1) does not apply if the discrimination only concerns training which would help fit a person for employment which, by virtue of regulation 7 (exception for genuine occupational requirement), the employer could lawfully refuse to offer the person in question.

    (4) This regulation applies to the following educational establishments in England and Wales, namely - 

    (5) This regulation applies to the following educational establishments in Scotland, namely - 

    (6) In this regulation - 

Relationships which have come to an end
     21.  - (1) In this regulation a "relevant relationship" is a relationship during the course of which an act of discrimination against, or harassment of, one party to the relationship ("B") by the other party to it ("A") is unlawful by virtue of any preceding provision of this Part.

    (2) Where a relevant relationship has come to an end, it is unlawful for A - 

where the discrimination or harassment arises out of and is closely connected to that relationship.

    (3) In paragraph (1), reference to an act of discrimination or harassment which is unlawful includes, in the case of a relationship which has come to an end before the coming into force of these Regulations, reference to an act of discrimination or harassment which would, after the coming into force of these Regulations, be unlawful.



PART III

OTHER UNLAWFUL ACTS

Liability of employers and principals
    
22.  - (1) Anything done by a person in the course of his employment shall be treated for the purposes of these Regulations as done by his employer as well as by him, whether or not it was done with the employer's knowledge or approval.

    (2) Anything done by a person as agent for another person with the authority (whether express or implied, and whether precedent or subsequent) of that other person shall be treated for the purposes of these Regulations as done by that other person as well as by him.

    (3) In proceedings brought under these Regulations against any person in respect of an act alleged to have been done by an employee of his it shall be a defence for that person to prove that he took such steps as were reasonably practicable to prevent the employee from doing that act, or from doing in the course of his employment acts of that description.

Aiding unlawful acts
    
23.  - (1) A person who knowingly aids another person to do an act made unlawful by these Regulations shall be treated for the purpose of these Regulations as himself doing an unlawful act of the like description.

    (2) For the purposes of paragraph (1) an employee or agent for whose act the employer or principal is liable under regulation 22 (or would be so liable but for regulation 22(3)) shall be deemed to aid the doing of the act by the employer or principal.

    (3) A person does not under this regulation knowingly aid another to do an unlawful act if - 

    (4) A person who knowingly or recklessly makes a statement such as is referred to in paragraph (3)(a) which in a material respect is false or misleading commits an offence, and shall be liable on summary conviction to a fine not exceeding level 5 on the standard scale.



PART IV

GENERAL EXCEPTIONS FROM PARTS II AND III

Exception for national security
    
24. Nothing in Part II or III shall render unlawful an act done for the purpose of safeguarding national security, if the doing of the act was justified by that purpose.

Exceptions for positive action
    
25.  - (1) Nothing in Part II or III shall render unlawful any act done in or in connection with - 

where it reasonably appears to the person doing the act that it prevents or compensates for disadvantages linked to religion or belief suffered by persons of that religion or belief doing that work or likely to take up that work.

    (2) Nothing in Part II or III shall render unlawful any act done by a trade organisation within the meaning of regulation 15 in or in connection with - 

where it reasonably appears to the organisation that the act prevents or compensates for disadvantages linked to religion or belief suffered by those of that religion or belief holding such posts or likely to hold such posts.

    (3) Nothing in Part II or III shall render unlawful any act done by a trade organisation within the meaning of regulation 15 in or in connection with encouraging only persons of a particular religion or belief to become members of the organisation where it reasonably appears to the organisation that the act prevents or compensates for disadvantages linked to religion or belief suffered by persons of that religion or belief who are, or are eligible to become, members.

Protection of Sikhs from discrimination in connection with requirements as to wearing of safety helmets
    
26.  - (1) Where - 

then, for the purposes of regulation 3(1)(b)(iii), the provision, criterion or practice shall be taken to be one which cannot be shown to be a proportionate means of achieving a legitimate aim.

    (2) Any special treatment afforded to a Sikh in consequence of section 11(1) or (2) of the Employment Act 1989[
25] (exemption of Sikhs from requirements as to wearing of safety helmets on construction sites) shall not be regarded as giving rise, in relation to any other person, to any discrimination falling within regulation 3.

    (3) In this regulation - 

    (4) In this regulation - 



PART V

ENFORCEMENT

Restriction of proceedings for breach of Regulations
     27.  - (1) Except as provided by these Regulations no proceedings, whether civil or criminal, shall lie against any person in respect of an act by reason that the act is unlawful by virtue of a provision of these Regulations.

    (2) Paragraph (1) does not prevent the making of an application for judicial review.

Jurisdiction of employment tribunals
    
28.  - (1) A complaint by any person ("the complainant") that another person ("the respondent") - 

may be presented to an employment tribunal.

    (2) This regulation applies to any act of discrimination or harassment which is unlawful by virtue of any provision of Part II other than - 

    (3) In paragraph (2)(c), reference to an act of discrimination or harassment which would have been unlawful includes, in the case of a relationship which has come to an end before the coming into force of these Regulations, reference to an act of discrimination or harassment which would, after the coming into force of these Regulations, have been unlawful.

    (4) In this regulation, "enactment" includes an enactment comprised in, or in an instrument made under, an Act of the Scottish Parliament.

Burden of proof: employment tribunals
    
29.  - (1) This regulation applies to any complaint presented under regulation 28 to an employment tribunal.

    (2) Where, on the hearing of the complaint, the complainant proves facts from which the tribunal could, apart from this regulation, conclude in the absence of an adequate explanation that the respondent - 

the tribunal shall uphold the complaint unless the respondent proves that he did not commit, or as the case may be, is not to be treated as having committed, that act.

Remedies on complaints in employment tribunals
    
30.  - (1) Where an employment tribunal finds that a complaint presented to it under regulation 28 is well-founded, the tribunal shall make such of the following as it considers just and equitable - 

    (2) As respects an unlawful act of discrimination falling within regulation 3(1)(b), if the respondent proves that the provision, criterion or practice was not applied with the intention of treating the complainant unfavourably on grounds of religion or belief, an order may be made under paragraph (1)(b) only if the employment tribunal - 

    (3) If without reasonable justification the respondent to a complaint fails to comply with a recommendation made by an employment tribunal under paragraph (1)(c), then, if it thinks it just and equitable to do so - 

    (4) Where an amount of compensation falls to be awarded under paragraph (1)(b), the tribunal may include in the award interest on that amount subject to, and in accordance with, the provisions of the Employment Tribunals (Interest on Awards in Discrimination Cases) Regulations 1996[27].

Jurisdiction of county and sheriff courts
     31.  - (1) A claim by any person ("the claimant") that another person ("the respondent") - 

may be made the subject of civil proceedings in like manner as any other claim in tort or (in Scotland) in reparation for breach of statutory duty.

    (2) Proceedings brought under paragraph (1) shall - 

    (3) For the avoidance of doubt it is hereby declared that damages in respect of an unlawful act to which this regulation applies may include compensation for injury to feelings whether or not they include compensation under any other head.

    (4) This regulation applies to any act of discrimination or harassment which is unlawful by virtue of - 

    (5) In paragraph (4)(b), reference to an act of discrimination or harassment which would have been unlawful includes, in the case of a relationship which has come to an end before the coming into force of these Regulations, reference to an act of discrimination or harassment which would, after the coming into force of these Regulations, have been unlawful.

Burden of proof: county and sheriff courts
    
32.  - (1) This regulation applies to any claim brought under regulation 31 in a county court in England and Wales or a sheriff court in Scotland.

    (2) Where, on the hearing of the claim, the claimant proves facts from which the court could, apart from this regulation, conclude in the absence of an adequate explanation that the respondent - 

the court shall uphold the claim unless the respondent proves that he did not commit, or as the case may be, is not to be treated as having committed, that act.

Help for persons in obtaining information etc
    
33.  - (1) In accordance with this regulation, a person ("the person aggrieved") who considers he may have been discriminated against, or subjected to harassment, in contravention of these Regulations may serve on the respondent to a complaint presented under regulation 28 (jurisdiction of employment tribunals) or a claim brought under regulation 31 (jurisdiction of county and sheriff courts) questions in the form set out in Schedule 2 or forms to the like effect with such variation as the circumstances require; and the respondent may if he so wishes reply to such questions by way of the form set out in Schedule 3 or forms to the like effect with such variation as the circumstances require.

    (2) Where the person aggrieved questions the respondent (whether in accordance with paragraph (1) or not) - 

    (3) In proceedings before a county court in England or Wales or a sheriff court in Scotland, a question shall only be admissible as evidence in pursuance of paragraph (2)(a) - 

    (4) In proceedings before an employment tribunal, a question shall only be admissible as evidence in pursuance of paragraph (2)(a) - 

    (5) A question and any reply thereto may be served on the respondent or, as the case may be, on the person aggrieved - 

    (6) This regulation is without prejudice to any other enactment or rule of law regulating interlocutory and preliminary matters in proceedings before a county court, sheriff court or employment tribunal, and has effect subject to any enactment or rule of law regulating the admissibility of evidence in such proceedings.

    (7) In this regulation "respondent" includes a prospective respondent.

Period within which proceedings to be brought
     34.  - (1) An employment tribunal shall not consider a complaint under regulation 28 unless it is presented to the tribunal before the end of - 

    (2) A county court or a sheriff court shall not consider a claim brought under regulation 31 unless proceedings in respect of the claim are instituted before the end of the period of six months beginning when the act complained of was done.

    (3) A court or tribunal may nevertheless consider any such complaint or claim which is out of time if, in all the circumstances of the case, it considers that it is just and equitable to do so.

    (4) For the purposes of this regulation and regulation 33 (help for persons in obtaining information etc) - 

and in the absence of evidence establishing the contrary a person shall be taken for the purposes of this regulation to decide upon an omission when he does an act inconsistent with doing the omitted act or, if he has done no such inconsistent act, when the period expires within which he might reasonably have been expected to do the omitted act if it was to be done.



PART VI

SUPPLEMENTAL

Validity of contracts, collective agreements and rules of undertakings
    
35. Schedule 4 (validity of contracts, collective agreements and rules of undertakings) shall have effect.

Application to the Crown etc
    
36.  - (1) These Regulations apply - 

as they apply to an act done by a private person.

    (2) These Regulations apply to - 

as they apply to employment by a private person, and shall so apply as if references to a contract of employment included references to the terms of service.

    (3) Paragraphs (1) and (2) have effect subject to regulation 11 (police).

    (4) Regulation 9(3) (meaning of employment and contract work at establishment in Great Britain) shall have effect in relation to any ship, aircraft or hovercraft belonging to or possessed by Her Majesty in right of the government of the United Kingdom as it has effect in relation to a ship, aircraft or hovercraft specified in regulation 9(3)(a) or (b).

    (5) The provisions of Parts II to IV of the Crown Proceedings Act 1947[
29] shall apply to proceedings against the Crown under these Regulations as they apply to proceedings in England and Wales which by virtue of section 23 of that Act are treated for the purposes of Part II of that Act as civil proceedings by or against the Crown, except that in their application to proceedings under these Regulations section 20 of that Act (removal of proceedings from county court to High Court) shall not apply.

    (6) The provisions of Part V of the Crown Proceedings Act 1947 shall apply to proceedings against the Crown under these Regulations as they apply to proceedings in Scotland which by virtue of the said Part are treated as civil proceedings by or against the Crown, except that in their application to proceedings under these Regulations the proviso to section 44 of that Act (removal of proceedings from the sheriff court to the Court of Session) shall not apply.

    (7) This paragraph applies to any complaint by a person ("the complainant") that another person - 

if at the time when the act complained of was done the complainant was serving in the armed forces and the discrimination or harassment in question relates to his service in those forces.

    (8) A complainant may present a complaint to which paragraph (7) applies to an employment tribunal under regulation 28 only if - 

    (9) For the purpose of paragraph (8)(b), a complainant shall be treated as having withdrawn his complaint if, having made a complaint to an officer under the service redress procedures applicable to him, he fails to submit that complaint to the Defence Council under those procedures.

    (10) Where a complaint is presented to an employment tribunal under regulation 28 by virtue of paragraph (8), the service redress procedures may continue after the complaint is so presented.

    (11) In this regulation - 

Application to House of Commons staff
     37.  - (1) These Regulations apply to an act done by an employer of a relevant member of the House of Commons staff, and to service as such a member, as they apply to an act done by and to service for purposes of a Minister of the Crown or government department, and accordingly apply as if references to a contract of employment included references to the terms of service of such a member.

    (2) In this regulation "relevant member of the House of Commons staff" means any person - 

and subsections (6) to (12) of section 195 of the Employment Rights Act 1996[34] (person to be treated as employer of House of Commons staff) apply, with any necessary modifications, for the purposes of these Regulations.

Application to House of Lords staff
     38.  - (1) These Regulations apply in relation to employment as a relevant member of the House of Lords staff as they apply in relation to other employment.

    (2) In this regulation "relevant member of the House of Lords staff" means any person who is employed under a contract of employment with the Corporate Officer of the House of Lords, and section 194(7) of the Employment Rights Act 1996 (continuity of employment) applies for the purposes of this regulation.

Savings of, and amendments to, legislation
    
39.  - (1) These Regulations are without prejudice to - 

    (2) Schedule 5 (amendments to legislation) shall have effect.


Jacqui Smith
Minister of State, for Industry and the Regions and Deputy Minister for Women and Equality, Department of Trade and Industry

26th June 2003



SCHEDULES


SCHEDULE 1
Regulation 9(4)


Norwegian part of the Frigg Gas Field


     1. The part of the Norwegian sector of the Continental Shelf described in this Schedule is the area defined by - 

     2. In this Schedule, the "Dividing Line" means the dividing line as defined in an Agreement dated 10th March 1965 and made between the government of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland and the government of the Kingdom of Norway as supplemented by a Protocol dated 22nd December 1978.



SCHEDULE 2
Regulation 33(1)


Questionnaire of person aggrieved


To
(name of person to be questioned) of


(address)

     1.  - (1) I
(name of questioner) of



(address)

consider that you may have discriminated against me [subjected me to harassment] contrary to the Employment Equality (Religion or Belief) Regulations 2003.

    (2) (Give date, approximate time and a factual description of the treatment received and of the circumstances leading up to the treatment.)

    (3) I consider that this treatment may have been unlawful [because


(complete if you wish to give reasons, otherwise delete)].

     2. Do you agree that the statement in paragraph 1(2) above is an accurate description of what happened? If not, in what respect do you disagree or what is your version of what happened?

     3. Do you accept that your treatment of me was unlawful discrimination [harassment]?

     4. (Any other questions you wish to ask.)

     5. My address for any reply you may wish to give to the questions raised above is [that set out in paragraph 1(1) above] [the following address





].


(signature of questioner)


(date)

     N.B.  - By virtue of regulation 33 of the Employment Equality (Religion or Belief) Regulations 2003 this questionnaire and any reply are (subject to the provisions of that regulation) admissible in proceedings under the Regulations. A court or tribunal may draw any such inference as is just and equitable from a failure without reasonable excuse to reply within eight weeks of service of this questionnaire, or from an evasive or equivocal reply, including an inference that the person questioned has committed an unlawful act.

SCHEDULE 3
Regulation 33(1)


Reply by respondent


To
(name of questioner) of


(address)

     1. I
(name of person questioned) of




(address)

hereby acknowledge receipt of the questionnaire signed by you and dated


which was served on me on
(date).

     2. [I agree that the statement in paragraph 1(2) of the questionnaire is an accurate description of what happened.]

[I disagree with the statement in paragraph 1(2) of the questionnaire in that



]

     3. I accept/dispute that my treatment of you was unlawful discrimination [harassment].

[My reasons for so disputing are


The reason why you received the treatment accorded to you and the answers to the other questions in paragraph 3 of the questionnaire are
]

     4. (Replies to questions in paragraph 4 of the questionnaire.)

     [5. I have deleted (in whole or in part) the paragraph(s) numbered
above, since I am unable/unwilling to reply to the relevant questions in the correspondingly numbered paragraph(s) of the questionnaire for the following reasons
]


(signature of person questioned)


(date)



SCHEDULE 4
Regulation 35


Validity of contracts, collective agreement and rules of undertakings




Part 1

Validity and revision of contracts

     1.

    (1) A term of a contract is void where - 

    (2) Sub-paragraph (1) does not apply to a term the inclusion of which constitutes, or is in furtherance of, or provides for, unlawful discrimination against, or harassment of, a party to the contract, but the term shall be unenforceable against that party.

    (3) A term in a contract which purports to exclude or limit any provision of these Regulations is unenforceable by any person in whose favour the term would operate apart from this paragraph.

    (4) Sub-paragraphs (1), (2) and (3) shall apply whether the contract was entered into before or after the date on which these Regulations come into force; but in the case of a contract made before that date, those sub-paragraphs do not apply in relation to any period before that date.

     2.

    (1) Paragraph 1(3) does not apply - 

    (2) The conditions regulating compromise contracts under this Schedule are that - 

    (3) A person is a relevant independent adviser for the purposes of sub-paragraph (2)(c) - 

    (4) But a person is not a relevant independent adviser for the purposes of sub-paragraph (2)(c) in relation to the complainant - 

    (5) In sub-paragraph (3)(a) "qualified lawyer" means - 

    (6) In sub-paragraph (3)(b) "independent trade union" has the same meaning as in the Trade Union and Labour Relations (Consolidation) Act 1992.

    (7) For the purposes of sub-paragraph (4)(a) any two persons are to be treated as connected - 

    (8) An agreement under which the parties agree to submit a dispute to arbitration - 

     3.

    (1) On the application of a person interested in a contract to which paragraph 1(1) or (2) applies, a county court or a sheriff court may make such order as it thinks fit for - 

but such an order shall not be made unless all persons affected have been given notice in writing of the application (except where under rules of court notice may be dispensed with) and have been afforded an opportunity to make representations to the court.

    (2) An order under sub-paragraph (1) may include provision as respects any period before the making of the order (but after the coming into force of these Regulations).



Part 2

Collective agreements and rules of undertakings

     4.

    (1) This Part of this Schedule applies to - 

    (2) Any term or rule to which this Part of this Schedule applies is void where - 

    (3) Sub-paragraph (2) shall apply whether the agreement was entered into, or the rule made, before or after the date on which these Regulations come into force; but in the case of an agreement entered into, or a rule made, before the date on which these Regulations come into force, that sub-paragraph does not apply in relation to any period before that date.

     5. A person to whom this paragraph applies may present a complaint to an employment tribunal that a term or rule is void by virtue of paragraph 4 if he has reason to believe - 

     6. In the case of a complaint about - 

paragraph 5 applies to any person who is, or is genuinely and actively seeking to become, one of his employees.

     7. In the case of a complaint about a rule made by an organisation or body to which paragraph 4(1)(c) applies, paragraph 5 applies to any person - 

     8.

    (1) When an employment tribunal finds that a complaint presented to it under paragraph 5 is well-founded the tribunal shall make an order declaring that the term or rule is void.

    (2) An order under sub-paragraph (1) may include provision as respects any period before the making of the order (but after the coming into force of these Regulations).

     9. The avoidance by virtue of paragraph 4(2) of any term or rule which provides for any person to be discriminated against shall be without prejudice to the following rights (except in so far as they enable any person to require another person to be treated less favourably than himself), namely - 

as are conferred by or in respect of a contract made or modified wholly or partly in pursuance of, or by reference to, that term or rule.

     10. In this Schedule "collective agreement" means any agreement relating to one or more of the matters mentioned in section 178(2) of the Trade Union and Labour Relations (Consolidation) Act 1992[39] (meaning of trade dispute), being an agreement made by or on behalf of one or more employers or one or more organisations of employers or associations of such organisations with one or more organisations of workers or associations of such organisations.



SCHEDULE 5
Regulation 39(2)


Amendments to legislation


     1. The Employment Tribunals Act 1996[
40] is amended as follows - 

     2. Section 126(1)(b) (compensation for acts which are both unfair dismissal and discrimination) of the Employment Rights Act 1996[43] is amended as follows - 

     3. Sub-paragraph (b) of the definition of "an award under the relevant legislation" in regulation 1(2) (interpretation) of the Employment Tribunals (Interest on Awards in Discrimination Cases) Regulations 1996[44] is amended as follows - 

     4. In the Employment Act 2002[45] at the end of each of the following schedules - 

there is inserted - 



EXPLANATORY NOTE

(This note is not part of the Regulations)


These Regulations, which are made under section 2(2) of the European Communities Act 1972 (c.68), implement (in Great Britain) Council Directive 2000/78/EC of 27th November 2000 establishing a general framework for equal treatment in employment (OJ L 303, 2.12.2000, p.16) so far as it relates to discrimination on grounds of religion or belief. The Regulations make it unlawful to discriminate on grounds of religion or belief in employment and vocational training. They prohibit direct discrimination, indirect discrimination, victimisation and harassment.

Religion or belief is defined in regulation 2 as meaning any religion, religious belief, or similar philosophical belief.

Direct discrimination, defined in regulation 3(1)(a), occurs where a person is treated less favourably than another on grounds of religion or belief. Indirect discrimination, defined in regulation 3(1)(b), occurs where a provision, criterion or practice, which is applied generally, puts persons of a particular religion or belief at a disadvantage and cannot be shown to be a proportionate means of achieving a legitimate aim. Victimisation, defined in regulation 4, occurs where a person receives less favourable treatment than others by reason of the fact that he has brought (or given evidence in) proceedings, made an allegation or otherwise done anything under or by reference to the Regulations. Harassment, defined in regulation 5, occurs where a person is subjected to unwanted conduct on grounds of religion or belief with the purpose or effect of violating his dignity, or creating an intimidating, hostile, degrading, humiliating or offensive environment for him.

Regulations 6 to 21 prohibit discrimination, victimisation and harassment in the fields of employment and vocational training. In particular, they protect employees (regulation 6), contract workers (regulation 8), office-holders (including constables) (regulations 10 and 11), and partners in firms. They not only prohibit discrimination etc by employers, but also by trade organisations (regulation 15), bodies conferring professional and trade qualifications (regulation 16), training providers (regulation 17), employment agencies (regulation 18), and further and higher education institutions (regulation 20). By virtue of regulation 21, discrimination, victimisation or harassment occurring after the relevant relationship has ended is unlawful if it arises out of, and is closely connected to, the relationship. The Regulations also apply to Crown servants and Parliamentary staff (regulations 36 to 38). Regulation 35 and Schedule 4 address the validity of discriminatory terms in contracts and collective agreements.

Not all differences of treatment on grounds of religion or belief are unlawful. There are exceptions in regulations 24 and 25 for differences of treatment related to national security and positive action, and in regulation 26 for the protection of Sikhs in connection with requirements as to the wearing of safety helmets. Regulation 7 provides an exception where being of a particular religion or belief is a genuine and determining occupational requirement for a post if it is proportionate to apply the requirement in the particular case. Regulation 7 also provides an exception for employers with an ethos based on religion or belief where being of a particular religion or belief is a genuine occupational requirement for a post and it is proportionate to apply the requirement in the particular case.

Regulations 27 to 34 provide remedies for individuals, including compensation, by way of proceedings in employment tribunals and in the county or sheriff courts. There are special provisions about the burden of proof in those cases in regulations 29 and 32, which transfer the burden to a respondent to a case once a complainant has established facts from which a court or tribunal could conclude, in the absence of an adequate explanation, that an act of discrimination or harassment has been committed by the respondent. Regulation 33 and Schedules 2 and 3 also include a questionnaire procedure to assist complainants in obtaining information from respondents.

A full Regulatory Impact Assessment report of the effect that these Regulations would have on the costs to business and a Transposition Note are freely available to the public from the Selected Employment Rights Branch, UG65, Department of Trade and Industry, 1 Victoria Street, London SW1H 0ET. Copies have also been placed in the libraries of both Houses of Parliament.


Notes:

[1] 1972 c. 68.back

[2] See the European Communities (Designation) (No. 3) Order 2002 (S.I. 2002/1819).back

[3] 1996 c. 56; section 4 was amended by section 51 of the Education Act 1997 (c. 44) and Schedule 22, Part 3 to the Education Act 2002 (c. 32).back

[4] 1980 c. 44.back

[5] 1964 c. 29.back

[6] 1985 c. 6.back

[7] 1958 c. 21.back

[8] 1975 c. 24; Schedule 2 was amended by the Scotland Act 1998 (c. 46), sections 48(6) and 87(1) and Schedule 9, and by S.I. 2002/794.back

[9] 1975 c. 27.back

[10] 1998 c. 46.back

[11] 1994 c. 39; section 2 was amended by the Environment Act 1995 (c. 25), Schedule 22, paragraph 232(1).back

[12] 1973 c. 65; section 51 was amended by the Local Government etc (Scotland) Act 1994 (c. 39), Schedule 14, paragraph 1.back

[13] 1996 c. 16.back

[14] 1997 c. 50.back

[15] 1967 c. 77.back

[16] 1829 c. 44.back

[17] 2 & 3 Vict c. xciv.back

[18] 1907 c. 24.back

[19] 1890 c. 39.back

[20] 1973 c. 50; section 2 was substituted by section 25(1) of the Employment Act 1988 (c. 19), and amended by the Employment Act 1989 (c. 38), Schedule 7, Part 1 and by section 47(1) of the Trade Union and Employment Rights Act 1993 (c. 19).back

[21] 1990 c. 35.back

[22] 1992 c. 13.back

[23] 1992 c. 37.back

[24] 1980 c. 44.back

[25] 1989 c. 38.back

[26] S.I. 2001/2127.back

[27] S.I. 1996/2803. Regulation 1(2) of those Regulations is amended by paragraph 3 of Schedule 5 to these Regulations.back

[28] 1992 c. 52.back

[29] 1947 c.44.back

[30] 1975 c. 24; Schedule 2 was amended by the Scotland Act 1998 (c.46), sections 48(6) and 87(1), and Schedule 9, and by SI 2002/794.back

[31] 1955 c. 18; section 180 was amended by section 20 of the Armed Forces Act 1996 (c.46), and is to be amended by the Armed Forces Act 2001 (c.19), Schedule 6, paragraph 41 on a date to be appointed.back

[32] 1955 c. 19; section 180 was amended by section 20 of the Armed Forces Act 1996 (c.46), and is to be amended by the Armed Forces Act 2001 (c.19), Schedule 6, paragraph 41 on a date to be appointed.back

[33] 1957 c. 53; section 130 was amended by section 20 of the Armed Forces Act 1996 (c.46), and is to be amended by the Armed Forces Act 2001 (c. 19), Schedule 6, paragraph 42 on a date to be appointed.back

[34] 1996 c. 18.back

[35] 1998 c. 31; sections 58 to 60 are to be amended by the Education Act 2002 (c. 32), Schedule 3 on a date to be appointed.back

[36] 1980 c. 44; section 21(2) to (2B) was amended by the Self-Governing Schools etc (Scotland) Act 1989 (c. 39), Schedule 10, paragraph 8(7), and section 21(2A) to (4) and (6) is applied by section 12 of that Act.back

[37] 1992 c. 52.back

[38] 1990 c. 41.back

[39] 1992 c. 52.back

[40] 1996 c. 17.back

[41] Section 18(1) has been amended on a number of occasions. The most recent and relevant amendment for the purposes of these Regulations was that made by S.I. 2002/2034.back

[42] Section 21 has been amended on a number of occasions. The most recent and relevant amendment for the purposes of these Regulations was that made by S.I. 2002/2034.back

[43] 1996 c. 18; section 126 was amended by section 14 of the Employment Rights (Dispute Resolution) Act 1998 (c. 8).back

[44] S.I. 1996/2803.back

[45] 2002 c. 22.back



ISBN 0 11 046676 4


 
© Crown copyright 2003
Prepared 8 July 2003


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