Religion and Belief
Profile
There is a diversity of religious belief
amongst University staff with the largest group of staff
identifying as Christian and the second largest as having no
religion. A number of staff (15%) chose not to disclose.
While the figures relating to those staff who identify to
affiliation with a religion other than Christianity are small and
therefore not statistically significant, the low representation of
Muslim and Hindu staff in the workforce in comparison with national
figures (see below) has a correlation with a low representation
Black and Minority Ethnic staff.
Currently data does not exist on the picture
across higher education as the University is an early adopter of
workforce monitoring relating to religion and belief (although this
is changing with the introduction of a national requirement for
such monitoring). Figures from the Equality and Human Rights
Commission state that about three-quarters of all adults in Britain
report Christian affiliation. The proportion who say they have no
religious affiliation is 18.9%. 7.4% of the population
report affiliation to a non-Christian religion. Nearly half of
these are Muslim, accounting for 3.5% of the adult population.
Other groups are Hindu (1.3%), Sikh (0.6%), Jewish (0.5%) and
Buddhist (0.4%). All other religious affiliations account for 1.1%
of the population.
Relevant
Employment Policies and Procedures
The University offers a range of opportunities
for faith practice and spiritual support for staff. The
Chaplaincy is a core aspect of the University life embedded in the
Church foundation under which the University is established.
As well as an ordained Anglican Chaplain, a team of voluntary faith
advisers aim to address the needs of all staff whatever their faith
or spiritual orientation.
The University chapels, multi-faith prayer
room and peace garden provide space for communal worship and quiet
prayer. Wudu washing facilities are also provided close to
the prayer room.