Acts of Racial and Religious Hatred become a criminal offence
On 1 October 2007 the Racial and Religious Hatred Act 2006 comes into force. It creates a new criminal offence of stirring up "hatred" against a person on the grounds of their religious beliefs or lack of religious belief. The offence applies to use of words or behaviour which are threatening and are intended to stir up religious hatred.
It is relevant in an employment context because an act of religious discrimination in the workplace could lead to an offence under the Act in the appropriate circumstances. Where a company is guilty of an offence and "it is shown that the offence was committed with the consent or connivance of a director, manager, secretary or other similar officer" then both the individual and the company are guilty of the offence and liable to a fine or up to seven years imprisonment.
Digg this
Add to del.icio.us
Add to stumbleupon
