On Monday, 20th November, representatives of various corporations gathered at the Palace of Westminster to discuss the importance of Freedom of Religion or Belief in the workplace. At the event, Dr. Brian Grim, founding president of the Religious Freedom & Business Foundation, launched their report “Building Freedom of Religion or Belief Through Faith-and-Belief Friendly Workplaces: A Call To Action.” This report, published in cooperation with the APPG FoRB, outlines a “building” approach to FoRB advocacy, providing a toolkit for corporations of various types and sizes a toolkit to promote FoRB in the workplace, contributing to diversity, equity, and inclusion goals.
Members of the panel included Jim Shannon MP (chair), Lord Alton, Adrian Bettridge (Managing Partner, Baringa), and Dr. Grim. Each spoke on various aspects of religious and belief expression in the workplace, emphasizing the productivity and employee wellbeing benefits which result from increasing inclusion and diversity.
Following their remarks, representatives of the following corporations spoke: Baringa, Dell Technologies, Google, NATS, OVO Energy, Thames Water, the University of Derby, the NHS, Amazon, and Direct Line. They spoke on their respective companies’ efforts and initiatives to promote FoRB in individual workplaces. Each gave valuable insights and highlighted experiences.
Revd. Dr. Russel Rook of the Good Faith Partnership then spoke on their project with the Religious Freedom & Business Foundation to promote FoRB in business in the UK and internationally. Julie Jones, director of the APPG for the Freedom of Religion or Belief, then offered concluding remarks, thanking all guests and participants.
