Should you mention your religion on an application if it is linked to voluntary work

judywoody

...and/or provides you with relevant skills due to the nature of activities you take part in through your local church?

I know that your religion should not be mentioned in your application just like your gender, nationality or skin color due to equality laws but would it make a difference if your religious activities are relevant for certain jobs/job skills (eg in community work, support worker etc)
Of course you wouldn't be talking about your religion at work but when it comes to peoples skills and other skills it might help you to find a job in that area. Would that be ok?

The problem is that the nature of the voluntary work is so closely linked to my religion that I can't mention one without the other because it wouldn't make sense otherwise.


Also, many application forms ask if I do any kind of voluntary work - what's the point if I can't mention it?

By the way - I wouldn't say I belong to X religion - I would say something like "Due to my voluntary work at x church I have gained xyz skills"

Horace

I don't see a problem if you say on the application that you have done voluntary work for x church and acquired xyz skills. Anyone can volunteer for work even in a church, religion doesnt come into it, I have volunteered at a church jumble sale before and I don't go to church or follow any religion.

Strider590

Religion / Gender / Race / Sexuality / Disability on an application form is purely to comply with equal opportunities.
In theory being Lesbian, Disabled, Female, Asian, Muslim would place you higher up the list of applicants, the purpose is to counter racism, homophobia and discrimination within large organisations.

Obviously the above is an exaggeration/extreme case.

ferien_uk2011

I agree with Horace, the nature of the volunteering is more important than where you did it. As long as the activity is to do with helping people, and you're not part of some extremist group spreading hate around as part of your volunteering (I'm assuming you're not - just trying to make the point), then I shouldn't see why it would be a problem.

MX5huggy

I know that your religion should not be mentioned in your application just like your gender, nationality or skin color due to equality laws

You can put these details if you want, its for the employer to not use this information in the selection.

SueC_2

As far as I know, Equality legislation has no say on what information you give out voluntarily, it merely prevents employers from demanding that information.

Personally, on my CV I state my age, my marital status, my gender and various other bits of 'personal / non-relevant' information, and I have never felt that this has worked against me.

bristol_pilot

I have known people not get interviewed for a job because they mentioned being a church member on their CV, so its not worth the risk IMO. In the UK, we tend to dislike people who are very religious and, sadly, stating a religious belief on a CV is more likely to do you harm than good. Can't you describe your volunteering activities without mentioning the word 'church' or your denomination?

SueC_2

bristol_pilot wrote: »

I have known people not get interviewed for a job because they mentioned being a church member on their CV,

How do you know that was the reason for them not getting an interview?

Are there really employers out there who are daft enough to say "Sorry, we're not interviewing you because you are a church member"?

bristol_pilot

The circumstances were this. The manager passed the application forms around the office (the applicants' potential future co-workers) and people were asked for their views. One candidate had stated under 'interests' that she 'attends the Church of England'. Nothing more than that. Various comments were fed back to the manager that we don't want a god botherer round here etc (and other things that I will not repeat) and that candidate was not seen for interview.

SueC_2

bristol_pilot wrote: »

The circumstances were this. The manager passed the application forms around the office (the applicants' potential future co-workers) and people were asked for their views. One candidate had stated under 'interests' that she 'attends the Church of England'. Nothing more than that. Various comments were fed back to the manager that we don't want a god botherer round here etc (and other things that I will not repeat) and that candidate was not seen for interview.

Ah, I see, you were telling the tale from the recruiter's point of view. I was (incorrectly) assuming you knew the candidate.

Wrong as your scenario absolutely is, that sort of thing does unfortunately happen. Although to be frank, not only over religion. "Ye gads, he's put train spotting as a hobby, he won't fit in around here", "He's an avid Arsenal supporter, Gavin in Accounts will beat him to a pulp".... etc etc etc.

Sadly the world just isn't a fair place.

heretolearn_2

IF possible I would avoid mentioning church for the reasons stated; although religious discrimination is now illegal, it does happen. There must be a way to describe what you do for a 'charity' instead. If you are running a Sunday school, say you are running a youth activity for a local charity. If you are acting as an usher..hmm, that's more difficult, but you could say you assist with the organisation of a weekly event for a local charity.