Prejudiced attitudes towards vegan workers in corporate environments

Experiences of discrimination and mistreatment related to veganism in corporate environments have been documented and increasingly recognized legally and socially.

Discriminations

Many vegan employees report facing prejudice and discrimination at work. For example, a survey by Crossland Employment Solicitors found that almost 45% of vegan employees felt discriminated against in the workplace, indicating that negative attitudes toward veganism are quite widespread. This can manifest as bullying, exclusion, or dismissive attitudes toward their ethical lifestyle.

It's illegal

Legally, in the UK, ethical veganism has been recognized as a philosophical belief protected under the Equality Act 2010. This means that mistreatment or harassment based on vegan beliefs can be considered unlawful discrimination or harassment. Employment tribunals have ruled that ethical veganism qualifies as a protected characteristic, similar to religion or belief, requiring employers to respect these beliefs and prevent discrimination.

Cases have highlighted how vegan employees have faced issues such as:

- Being bullied or mocked for their dietary choices.

- Lack of accommodation in workplace catering or events.

- Being excluded from social activities involving food.

- Facing challenges when their ethical beliefs influence their work-related decisions or dress codes (e.g., refusal to wear animal-derived products).

Employers should foster an inclusive environment

Employers are encouraged to create policies that explicitly protect ethical vegans from discrimination and foster an inclusive environment. This includes providing appropriate food options, respecting ethical beliefs in workplace policies, and training staff to prevent prejudice.

Such recognition is a growing step toward reducing vegan hate in corporate settings, but many vegans still report negative experiences and a need for greater awareness and protection.

What the law says in the UK

The Equality Act 2010 is a key piece of legislation in the UK designed to protect individuals from discrimination, harassment, and victimization based on certain protected characteristics. It consolidates and strengthens previous anti-discrimination laws to promote fairness and equality in various areas of life, including employment, education, and access to services.

Key Features

• Protects against discrimination based on protected characteristics such as age, disability, gender reassignment, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief, sex, and sexual orientation.

• Covers direct discrimination, indirect discrimination, harassment, and victimization.

• Applies to employers, service providers, educational institutions, and public bodies.

Veganism as a Philosophical Belief:

In recent years, UK courts and employment tribunals have recognized ethical veganism as a "philosophical belief" under the Equality Act 2010.

This recognition means ethical vegans are protected similarly to people with religious beliefs.

Ethical veganism goes beyond dietary preference; it encompasses a worldview that opposes animal exploitation and promotes animal rights and environmental sustainability.

Legal Implications:

Employers and organizations must not discriminate against employees or applicants because of their ethical vegan beliefs.

This includes protection from:

• Direct discrimination: Treating someone unfavorably because they are vegan.

• Indirect discrimination: Policies or practices that disproportionately disadvantage vegans unless justified.

• Harassment: Unwanted conduct related to veganism that violates dignity or creates a hostile environment.

• Victimization: Retaliation against someone for asserting their rights as a vegan under the Act.

Examples of Protections:

- Providing reasonable accommodations, such as vegan food options at work events or in cafeterias.

- Respecting ethical beliefs in dress codes (e.g., avoiding leather or animal-derived products if requested).

- Preventing bullying or exclusion based on vegan beliefs.

The Equality Act 2010 protects ethical vegans in the UK by recognizing veganism as a philosophical belief. This legal protection helps ensure that vegans are treated fairly and respectfully in workplaces and other settings, guarding against discrimination and harassment linked to their ethical stance.

Take them to court !

Conisbee v Crossley Farms Ltd (2020)

This landmark case recognized ethical veganism as a philosophical belief protected under the Equality Act 2010. The Employment Tribunal ruled that the claimant's ethical veganism qualified for protection, establishing a precedent for future cases involving discrimination against vegans. The claimant won as the tribunal acknowledged the belief’s seriousness and cogency, which includes ethical commitments that can intersect with disability or health choices

Casamitjana Costa v The League Against Cruel Sports (2019)

The tribunal ruled that ethical veganism is a philosophical belief and dismissed the employer's argument that veganism was merely a lifestyle choice. The claimant, a vegan, was protected against discrimination and bullying at work based on their vegan beliefs, which included ethical concerns about animal welfare and environmental sustainability. This case strengthened protections against harassment and discrimination for vegans.

Tribunal ruling on veganism and dress codes

There have been cases where tribunals supported vegans who refused to wear animal-derived products (like leather) as part of workplace dress codes, recognizing this as part of their ethical beliefs. Employers were required to accommodate such requests unless there was a strong business justification, supporting vegan employees' rights under the Equality Act.

Without abusing them

Case involving insufficient evidence or non-ethical veganism

In some cases, tribunals have dismissed claims where the claimant's veganism was not shown to be an ethical or philosophical belief but rather a personal lifestyle or dietary preference. Without establishing veganism as a protected belief under the Equality Act, the claimants lost discrimination cases. This underscores the importance of clearly demonstrating veganism as an ethical philosophy rather than just a diet to gain legal protection.

How to raise concerns about vegan discrimination at work ?

Raising concerns about vegan discrimination at work thoughtfully and effectively can help foster a respectful and inclusive environment. Here are practical steps you can take:

1. Document Your Experiences

Keep a detailed record of incidents involving discrimination, bullying, exclusion, or unfair treatment related to your veganism.

Note dates, times, locations, people involved, and what was said or done.

Save any relevant emails, messages, or documents.

2. Understand Your Rights

Familiarize yourself with protections under the Equality Act 2010, which covers ethical veganism as a protected philosophical belief in the UK.

Know that discrimination, harassment, or victimization based on veganism can be unlawful.

3. Seek Support Internally

Identify if your company has an Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion (EDI) officer, HR representative, or a trusted manager.

Request a private meeting to discuss your concerns calmly and clearly.

Share your documentation and explain how the behavior affects your work and wellbeing.

4. Propose Reasonable Adjustments

Suggest practical accommodations, such as:

• Providing vegan food options at meetings or events.

• Allowing alternatives to animal-derived materials in dress codes.

• Including veganism in diversity and inclusion training.

5. Use Formal Channels if Needed

If informal discussions don’t resolve the issue, consider submitting a formal grievance following your company’s procedures.

Keep a record of all communications related to the grievance.

6. Seek External Advice

Contact organizations specializing in workplace rights or vegan advocacy, such as:

• ACAS (Advisory, Conciliation and Arbitration Service) for employment advice in the UK.

• Vegan advocacy groups that may offer guidance or legal referrals.

Consider legal advice if discrimination persists or escalates.

7. Build Allies and Raise Awareness

Connect with colleagues who respect or share your values.

Offer to help organize educational sessions about ethical veganism and its protected status.

Share positive stories and resources to foster understanding.

Tone and Approach Tips:

• Stay calm and professional, focusing on facts and impact rather than emotions.

• Frame your veganism as a serious ethical belief deserving respect and accommodation.

• Emphasize collaboration and a desire for a positive, inclusive workplace.

This approach can transform challenges into opportunities for greater understanding and respect, much like nurturing a diverse ecosystem where all life thrives. If you want, I can help draft specific emails or conversation starters for raising your concerns.

Stand out for yourself and speak-up

Staying silent in the face of discrimination or abuse, especially when it challenges core values like ethical veganism, often feels like the safest path—but it can come at a heavy personal cost, as I have painfully learned. Isolation and quiet endurance may protect a job temporarily, yet they can deepen wounds, erode well-being, and allow harmful patterns to persist unchecked.

If you find yourself suffering in silence, know that your voice matters and that seeking support is not only an act of courage but a vital step toward change. Building even small alliances, speaking up through the right channels, and refusing to accept injustice can feel daunting, but they plant the seeds for a more respectful and inclusive workplace. By making noise—thoughtful, persistent, and grounded in your convictions—you help create ripples that can transform toxic environments into spaces where dignity and integrity thrive. You are not alone, and together, change is possible.

If you have experienced traumatic events related to ableism or discrimination as a vegan and need compassionate support, please don’t hesitate to reach out to me. Together, we can find strength, understanding, and ways to navigate these challenges with dignity and hope.

#vegan