Equality Act | Voodoo is a protected religious belief, tribunal rules

An employment tribunal has ruled that Voodoo is a protected religious belief under the Equality Act 2010.

The ruling followed a claim brought by a Walsall Metropolitan Borough Council employee, who alleged he was subjected to harassment at work.

Mr C. A. Wint, a support officer at the council, claimed he was harassed on the grounds of religion or belief after a colleague, Miss Mandy Shone, allegedly made a comment about Voodoo in a workplace conversation. 

The tribunal heard that on 17 July 2023, Miss Shone told Mr Wint: "I should have sent you a voodoo doll with pins in it, emphasizing on the pins." Mr Wint, who identifies as a Black African Caribbean Christian, stated that he was deeply offended by the remark, as he associated it with negative stereotypes about black culture and beliefs.