At the end of 2019, courts in the UK decided that ethical
veganism is a protected philosophical belief under discrimination
legislation. This decision has led to very strong opinions from
lawyers, the public and the press as to what this means for
employers and people's rights more generally.
The judgment has also got a lot of people asking: what do you
actually need in order for a belief to be protected by UK equality
laws?
Philosophical belief factors
The courts have given us the following guidance as to whether a
belief can be classed as a protected "philosophical
belief:"
- It must be genuinely held.
- It must be a belief as to a weighty
and substantial aspect of human life and behaviour.
