The guidance offers employers essential advice on how to comply with the Equalities Act, which protects employees against discrimination based on religion and belief.

The Acas guidance highlights recruitment as a key area where employers should take care to ensure they avoid discrimination, especially related to:

• job adverts. They should be publicised widely and it is almost always better if employers don't mention religion in the posting

• training and development opportunities that help employees gain promotions should be organised so employees don't miss out due to religious observance

• opportunities for promotions. It would be discriminatory for an employer to discourage an employee from taking a promotion because of their religion.

The Acas guidance also offers help to ensure that employers:

• take a flexible approach to dress codes where possible

• consider requests to use annual leave for religious reasons carefully and sympathetically

• understand that fasting can impact on performance so employers should try to be understanding in line with business needs.

View the full guidance here