Religion and belief

The proportion of staff (77%) sharing their beliefs remained static over the past five years, however those stating non-religious grew by over 6%.

Buddhist staff scored their safety (6.3 out of 10) in relation to bullying and harassment).

Discrimination rates from patients or the public towards our staff are higher towards our Muslim, Hindu staff and staff identifying as Any other religion.

Across 2020-21 the Trust’s Religion and Belief Network explored and developed the expression of spirituality at work. Key achievements include:

• Holding virtual Diwali and Christmas celebrations
• Supporting patients with spiritual needs during the pandemic

Key findings: religion and belief

Workforce religion and belief representation - Amber

• The number of people sharing their religion or belief with the Trust at 31 March 2021 was 2,689, or 77% of the workforce. Staff in agenda for change (AfC) pay band 8a had the largest proportion identifying as religious at 81.4% (n.114). 
• Staff sharing, they were Christian was the largest belief group at 48.7% (n. 1,696), followed by the non-religious group at 15% (n. 540) and then followed by the group of staff sharing that they described their religion or belief as ‘Other’ at 9% (n. 307).
• The proportion of all staff sharing that they identify as religious remained relatively static over five years. 
• The proportion sharing that they identify as non-religious increased by 6.3% overall, over five years. The score is rated amber because of the 22% of staff not wishing to share with us.

Safe environment (bullying and harassment) by religion and belief - Amber

• The safety (bullying and harassment) score is aggregated from responses to three questions from the staff survey 2020 relating to personal experience of harassment, bullying or abuse from patients, relatives, members of the public, managers and / or colleagues
• The Trust average score for all staff was 8 out of 10. The group with the lowest score was Buddhist at 6.3 (n.16), 0.5% less than the 8.8 average staff score nationally. The next Trust lowest was Any other religion at 7.2 (n. 33).

 Religion and belief equality, diversity & inclusion score - Amber

• The equality, diversity and inclusion score is aggregated from responses to four questions taken from the staff survey 2020 relating to equal opportunities in career progression, discrimination at work and the adequacy of adjustments made to enable individuals to work. 
• The Trust average score for all staff was 8.9 out of 10. The group with the lowest score was Muslim at 7.6 followed by Buddhist at 7.8 and prefer not to say at 8.3 out of 10.

Religion and belief equality of opportunity for promotions - Amber

• On average, 86% of staff reported the Trust acts fairly with promotions. The group with the lowest proportion was Muslim at 57.1% (n. 14); nearly 19 points behind the 75.5% Muslim staff mental health provider benchmark. The next lowest in the Trust was Prefer not to say at 75.6% (n. 15) more than the 70.3% (n. 72) nationally in the Prefer not to say mental health provider benchmark.

 Staff experiencing discrimination from patients, relatives or members of the public by religion and belief - Amber

• On average, 11.9% of staff experienced discrimination from patients, relatives or the public in the prior 12 months. The top three groups were: Muslim at 32%, Hindu at 22.4% and Any other religion at 14.7% – score for Muslims is about double the national averages in their groups’ mental health provider benchmarks.

Workforce belief by group

• Non religious - 15 per cent
• Religious - 77 per cent
• Do not wish to disclose - 22 per cent

Fig. 10 Bullying & harassment score (religion and belief group)

• Prefer not to say 7.4 
• Any other religion 7.2
• No religion 8.2
• Muslim 7.8
• Hindu 7.8
• Christianity 8.1
• Buddhist 6.3

Equality, diversity and inclusion score (religion and belief group)

• Prefer not to say 8.3
• Any other religion 9
• No religion 9.2
• Muslim 7.6
• Hindu 8.6
• Christianity 8.9
• Buddhist 7.8

Equality of opportunity for promotions (religion and belief group)

• Prefer not to say 75.6%
• Any other religion 95.8%
• No religion 87.5%
• Muslim 57.1%
• Hindu 85.7%
• Christianity 88%
• Buddhist 83.3%

Next steps for religion and belief

• Increase membership of the Faith staff network
• A new action plan for the Faith staff network
• Delivery of active ally training to support those of different beliefs