New strain of workplace banter? Religious mockery replaces sexist jokes

Workers who would not make sexist or racist comments mock beliefs instead - a new report by Faith Research Centre at ComRes has found.

Up to one million workers in Britain may have experienced workplace harassment, discrimination or bullying because of their religious beliefs.

The report authors categorised being the butt of religious jokes as “lower level exclusion”; and out of those who experienced some form of it, they felt it wasn’t harsh enough to report it.

"Some people told us they felt uncomfortable about mentioning that they pray," says Katie Harrison, Director of ComRes Faith Research Centre. “Or we heard of people feeling upset that religion was the butt of jokes in a workplace where people have become much more aware about making disparaging comments about gender or disability."