Food

Some religions and beliefs have specific dietary requirements and, where the workplace has a canteen, the union could try to ensure that these are catered for where required.

A Labour Research Department survey of unionised workplaces in 2015 found that 38% of those with canteens provided meals catering for particular religious or cultural requirements — such as beef or pork-free meals — on a daily basis.

The EHRC Employment statutory code of practice also advises employers to be open and flexible if:

• workers with particular dietary requirements need to bring food into the workplace and need to store and heat it separately from other food;

• they employ staff whose religions require them to undergo extended periods of fasting. It says employers could consider how they can support them through the fasting period, but need to ensure that, in doing so, they do not place unreasonable extra burdens on other workers.