'Clear boundaries' | Can employers ban political & religious symbols at work? HR experts weigh in after NHS badge controversy

Lord John Mann’s review into antisemitism and other forms of racism in the NHS has sparked a wider conversation about where employers should draw the line between personal expression and workplace neutrality.

The Government's independent adviser on antisemitism recommended that NHS staff should be restricted from displaying political identifiers while at work, including badges expressing support for either Israel or Palestine. The review found evidence of Jewish staff experiencing discrimination and feeling compelled to hide their identity, while some patients reported concerns about accessing NHS services. The Government has accepted the review's recommendations and plans to introduce new guidance on political symbols and uniforms.

The proposal has prompted a broader question for employers across all sectors: should workplaces ban political and religious symbols altogether? For HR professionals, the answer appears to be considerably more nuanced.

Political expression versus protected beliefs

According to employment law experts, employers generally have greater freedom to regulate political expression than religious expression.