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How would you feel about this wording?

107 replies

ByTipsyRubyBalonz · 11/09/2025 00:26

How do you feel about this wording about a pro Palestine meeting held on company time and that it singles that Israeli or Jewish can attend but they must meet the criteria?

The company is public sector ish. This is a group for work colleagues to help the world be anti racist.

How would you feel about this wording?
How would you feel about this wording?
OP posts:
TowersofGable · 11/09/2025 01:14

Sc00byDont · 11/09/2025 01:08

I think this is incorrect because the qualifying attendance criteria are less likely to be met by Jewish people (religious discrimination) or people with Zionist beliefs (belief discrimination).

op, your employers are running a meeting to discuss a political issue and are endorsing one particular pov which excludes certain employees who are more likely to have a particular religion or belief - this is discrimination in the workplace and actionable.

I personally disagree with your colleague’s partisan framing of this issue. But they are at liberty to hold those beliefs if that doesn't disadvantage other employees. However, this meeting creates a hostile workplace for certain employees with particular protected characteristics. Your employer is playing with fire. In your shoes, I would raise a formal complaint.

Fair point, so arguably indirect religious discrimination. They’d need an objective justification.

Like I said above, total minefield. Ridiculous employer.

ByTipsyRubyBalonz · 11/09/2025 01:14

What if they have a meeting that's just for younger staff.... Is that discrimination.

Or programmes for advancement for bame staff?

Or menopause groups?

OP posts:
ByTipsyRubyBalonz · 11/09/2025 01:12

Sc00byDont · 11/09/2025 01:08

I think this is incorrect because the qualifying attendance criteria are less likely to be met by Jewish people (religious discrimination) or people with Zionist beliefs (belief discrimination).

op, your employers are running a meeting to discuss a political issue and are endorsing one particular pov which excludes certain employees who are more likely to have a particular religion or belief - this is discrimination in the workplace and actionable.

I personally disagree with your colleague’s partisan framing of this issue. But they are at liberty to hold those beliefs if that doesn't disadvantage other employees. However, this meeting creates a hostile workplace for certain employees with particular protected characteristics. Your employer is playing with fire. In your shoes, I would raise a formal complaint.

I wish I could articulate myself.... I know it's not right but I don't know why.

OP posts:
Sc00byDont · 11/09/2025 01:08

TowersofGable · 11/09/2025 00:46

It’s only discriminatory if they’re applying additional conditions on Jewish / Israeli staff that they don’t apply to others (and so treating them less favourably).

My reading of it (and I appreciate I may be wrong) is that they don’t welcome ANYONE who wants to express views supportive of Israel and its policies. So they’re applying the condition equally across the board.

Mentioning Jewish and Israeli colleagues specifically is presumably to avoid allegations of discrimination - i.e. they’re welcome if they comply with the same condition they apply to all attendees.

That said, I’m amazed an employer is permitting this meeting. It’s just asking for trouble.

I think this is incorrect because the qualifying attendance criteria are less likely to be met by Jewish people (religious discrimination) or people with Zionist beliefs (belief discrimination).

op, your employers are running a meeting to discuss a political issue and are endorsing one particular pov which excludes certain employees who are more likely to have a particular religion or belief - this is discrimination in the workplace and actionable.

I personally disagree with your colleague’s partisan framing of this issue. But they are at liberty to hold those beliefs if that doesn't disadvantage other employees. However, this meeting creates a hostile workplace for certain employees with particular protected characteristics. Your employer is playing with fire. In your shoes, I would raise a formal complaint.

ByTipsyRubyBalonz · 11/09/2025 01:07

I personally don't care about either side, don't kill 1200 people in one day and continue with conflict.

I personally think Ukraine needs our help

OP posts:
ByTipsyRubyBalonz · 11/09/2025 01:06

LeftFooter · 11/09/2025 00:58

Do it anonymously and let the newspaper decide. Use a burner email address.

Don't know. I feel like everyone is pro Palestine and a lot of Muslims work for the company and use our service.... So I think that's why it has been able to be ignored

OP posts:
LeftFooter · 11/09/2025 00:58

Do it anonymously and let the newspaper decide. Use a burner email address.

ByTipsyRubyBalonz · 11/09/2025 00:56

LeftFooter · 11/09/2025 00:55

OP please whistle blow this. Take it to the papers or a news channel if anyone will listen . It’s awful.

I honestly don't know what's awful about it.... I can't articulate it

OP posts:
LeftFooter · 11/09/2025 00:55

OP please whistle blow this. Take it to the papers or a news channel if anyone will listen . It’s awful.

Dangermoos · 11/09/2025 00:53

ByTipsyRubyBalonz · 11/09/2025 00:51

See to me by mentioning Jews and Israeli is the worst part.

If they said all staff, doesn't matter. Everyone at work I've spoken to has an issue with the Jews and Israeli part

Racism is taking place right under your nose. You're working in a dictatorship - whether that's being carried out as a sub part of the business, or worse by senior management. The whistle needs blowing. Good luck.

ByTipsyRubyBalonz · 11/09/2025 00:53

TowersofGable · 11/09/2025 00:52

I suppose you could argue Zionism is a philosophical belief and they’re being excluded because of it - that would be discriminatory.

It’s a total minefield. Is the employer even aware this is happening?

Edited

Yep it's on comms on Teams. Equality person posted it...

OP posts:
TowersofGable · 11/09/2025 00:52

ByTipsyRubyBalonz · 11/09/2025 00:48

So Jews are allowed but only if they aren't Zionist?

I suppose you could argue Zionism is a philosophical belief and they’re being excluded because of it - that would be discriminatory.

It’s a total minefield. Is the employer even aware this is happening?

ByTipsyRubyBalonz · 11/09/2025 00:51

TowersofGable · 11/09/2025 00:46

It’s only discriminatory if they’re applying additional conditions on Jewish / Israeli staff that they don’t apply to others (and so treating them less favourably).

My reading of it (and I appreciate I may be wrong) is that they don’t welcome ANYONE who wants to express views supportive of Israel and its policies. So they’re applying the condition equally across the board.

Mentioning Jewish and Israeli colleagues specifically is presumably to avoid allegations of discrimination - i.e. they’re welcome if they comply with the same condition they apply to all attendees.

That said, I’m amazed an employer is permitting this meeting. It’s just asking for trouble.

See to me by mentioning Jews and Israeli is the worst part.

If they said all staff, doesn't matter. Everyone at work I've spoken to has an issue with the Jews and Israeli part

OP posts:
ByTipsyRubyBalonz · 11/09/2025 00:50

Dangermoos · 11/09/2025 00:47

The PP is correct, it's in contravention of the Equality Act. They are discriminating against Jews by setting exclusionary criteria as to who can attend the meeting. Of course, you are right to not disclose the company name. It's a mickey mouse organisation, which sounds like it's run by students. It's got Students' Union written all over it. Amateurs.

Unfortunately not, professionals, regulated industry

OP posts:
Dangermoos · 11/09/2025 00:49

ByTipsyRubyBalonz · 11/09/2025 00:44

I think it's mitigated because they want to only be with like minded people?

That's not mitigation; that's amplification of their bigotry.

ByTipsyRubyBalonz · 11/09/2025 00:48

TowersofGable · 11/09/2025 00:46

It’s only discriminatory if they’re applying additional conditions on Jewish / Israeli staff that they don’t apply to others (and so treating them less favourably).

My reading of it (and I appreciate I may be wrong) is that they don’t welcome ANYONE who wants to express views supportive of Israel and its policies. So they’re applying the condition equally across the board.

Mentioning Jewish and Israeli colleagues specifically is presumably to avoid allegations of discrimination - i.e. they’re welcome if they comply with the same condition they apply to all attendees.

That said, I’m amazed an employer is permitting this meeting. It’s just asking for trouble.

So Jews are allowed but only if they aren't Zionist?

OP posts:
Dangermoos · 11/09/2025 00:47

ByTipsyRubyBalonz · 11/09/2025 00:43

I have cut some of because I don't want to out the company... But they have a criteria of who can attend and it's a pro Palestine meeting.

I guess it's just saying anyone who is for Israel is wrong?

Sorry I don't understand anti semitism

The PP is correct, it's in contravention of the Equality Act. They are discriminating against Jews by setting exclusionary criteria as to who can attend the meeting. Of course, you are right to not disclose the company name. It's a mickey mouse organisation, which sounds like it's run by students. It's got Students' Union written all over it. Amateurs.

TowersofGable · 11/09/2025 00:46

It’s only discriminatory if they’re applying additional conditions on Jewish / Israeli staff that they don’t apply to others (and so treating them less favourably).

My reading of it (and I appreciate I may be wrong) is that they don’t welcome ANYONE who wants to express views supportive of Israel and its policies. So they’re applying the condition equally across the board.

Mentioning Jewish and Israeli colleagues specifically is presumably to avoid allegations of discrimination - i.e. they’re welcome if they comply with the same condition they apply to all attendees.

That said, I’m amazed an employer is permitting this meeting. It’s just asking for trouble.

ByTipsyRubyBalonz · 11/09/2025 00:45

I don't think they are excluded but it's hinting that
.. if they didn't write Jews or Israels

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ByTipsyRubyBalonz · 11/09/2025 00:44

LeftFooter · 11/09/2025 00:41

I’m not a lawyer OP but saying Jews are basically excluded from the meeting unless they believe certain things seems pretty antisemitic to me. Religion is a protected characteristic. So it’s illegal.

I think it's mitigated because they want to only be with like minded people?

OP posts:
ByTipsyRubyBalonz · 11/09/2025 00:43

Dangermoos · 11/09/2025 00:40

I wish I knew who the company was because I'd be taking legal action. They are discriminating against Jews. They are antisemitic, as I said. They want to create a safe space for everyone, except Jews.

I have cut some of because I don't want to out the company... But they have a criteria of who can attend and it's a pro Palestine meeting.

I guess it's just saying anyone who is for Israel is wrong?

Sorry I don't understand anti semitism

OP posts:
Dangermoos · 11/09/2025 00:41

ByTipsyRubyBalonz · 11/09/2025 00:40

It's a group at work to prevent racism.

😆 🤣 they've got a good sense of humour then. What utter pricks you work for. I was going to bed but this on top of the Charlie Kirk murder, it's all very worrying.

LeftFooter · 11/09/2025 00:41

I’m not a lawyer OP but saying Jews are basically excluded from the meeting unless they believe certain things seems pretty antisemitic to me. Religion is a protected characteristic. So it’s illegal.

Dangermoos · 11/09/2025 00:40

ByTipsyRubyBalonz · 11/09/2025 00:38

How is it discrimination? It doesn't sit right with me then singling out people...they could have written everyone can attend. These groups are usually not inviting everyone to attend, just group members.

I wish I knew who the company was because I'd be taking legal action. They are discriminating against Jews. They are antisemitic, as I said. They want to create a safe space for everyone, except Jews.

ByTipsyRubyBalonz · 11/09/2025 00:40

TowersofGable · 11/09/2025 00:39

What happened to people just going to work, doing their job, and then going home again? Isn’t this kind of activity something that should really be conducted outside of work?

It's a group at work to prevent racism.

OP posts: