In the Equality Act, ‘religion’ includes any religion including a lack of religion.  In other words employees or jobseekers are protected whether they have a religion or no religion at all. ‘Belief’ means any religious or philosophical belief or a lack of such belief. To be protected, a belief must satisfy various criteria, including that it is a weighty and substantial aspect of human life and behaviour.  Denominations or sects within a religion can be considered a protected religion or religious belief.

Discrimination because of religion or belief can occur even where both the discriminator and recipient are of the same religion or belief.