Religious dress or symbols

The wearing of religious dress or symbols can be an important expression of a staff member or student’s religious identity and commitment; for example, some Sikhs may wear a kara (steel wristband) as an identifying symbol, some Christians may wear a cross, and some Muslim women may wear a hijab (headscarf) or niqab (facial covering). Additionally, some worn expressions of faith can be short term; for example, some Christians may wear a cross made of ashes on their forehead on Ash Wednesday. The University is supportive of staff and students who wish to wear such items, and this should not be discouraged.

Staff and students also have the right to object to or request changes to dress codes or uniforms if they feel it conflicts with their religion or belief; for example, adjustments to headwear to allow for wearing of head coverings. All requests should be thoroughly considered and wherever possible supported.

Can I ask staff/students to remove religious dress/symbols or to conform to a particular dress code?

Where dress requirements relate to the practical necessities of a staff member’s job or a particular activity – such as health and safety requirements in settings like laboratories – you can be justified in asking a staff member or student to remove or to wear particular items (such as protective clothing). But you must give proper consideration to any requests and be clear why a religious symbol or dress poses a risk to health and safety; for example, if a symbol worn on a chain could become entangled in machinery. And, any instance in which a staff member is requested to remove a particular item should be handled with respect and dignity.

If it is not possible to approve a request for legitimate reasons, you should discuss the situation with the individual to see if there are some adjustments that can be made. For example, providing disposable coverings (e.g., sleeves) which would allow staff/students to dress modestly whilst also not compromising infection control, allowing staff/students to wear a facial covering but asking them to temporarily remove it (this should be done out of the public view and, where practical, only in the sight of someone of the same gender) to confirm their identity as needed (e.g., before an exam), being specific about the circumstances in which an item must be removed (e.g., when using particular equipment) and allowing it to be worn the rest of the time.

As far as possible, you should show flexibility to support people to practice their faith in this way.

Useful links and resources

You might find the following links helpful in considering requests around religious dress or symbols:

Health and Safety Services: Laboratories, Workshops, and Associated Stores.
Sections 11 and 12 of the Employment Act 1989 (as amended by Section 6 of the Deregulation Act 2015) give Sikh staff who wear a turban the right to choose not to wear head protection. You can read more about the rules around head protection for those who wear turbans here.

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Case studies

Staff

A Buddhist member of staff wears a protective amulet on a chain. Due to the nature of their work, a risk assessment determines that necklaces are too dangerous. The manager discusses the situation with the staff member, and it is agreed they can wear the item as a pin/badge/broach underneath protective clothing at times when a chain presents a health and safety risk (e.g., when working with machinery), and on a chain the rest of the time (e.g., when working in an office).

Student

A student who wears a head covering is interesting in becoming a surgeon (this could be e.g., a Muslim student who wears a hijab, a Sikh student who wears a turban, or a Jewish student who wears a yarmulke). They speak to a staff member about this to get advice and the staff member tells them that this will not be possible unless they are willing to remove their head covering during surgery to meet infection control requirements. This advice is incorrect, as the NHS England dress code guidance states that in surgical theatres staff can wear normal cloth head coverings so long as they are washed appropriately or a disposable head covering.

Staff should not prevent students from engaging in activities or accessing experiences on their course on an assumption or guess of what religious dress will be permissible. Instead, it would be appropriate to share with the student the dress code policy or encourage the student to look into this themselves.

Home

Return to the an overview of guidance on how you can accommodate and support common religion, faith, or belief-based requests.

Religion and belief guidance

Time off and flexibility

Do you need to approve all requests for time off relating to religion and belief? Should you prioritise these requests?

Time off requests

Dietary requirments and fasting

How can you support staff who are fasting? Can students request extensions/mitigating circumstances due to fasting?

Dietary and fasting requests

Opting out

Do you need to automatically approve staff requests to opt out of duties? Can students opt out of aspects of their course?

Opting out requests