Vegan Society calls for separate shelf in office fridge for plant-based foods

Employers have been given new guidelines on how to make vegan workers feel at home, including installing a special shelf in the office fridge.

A new booklet produced by The Vegan Society also suggests companies allow staff to be exempt from corporate events like horse racing or those that ‘revolve around animal products’ such as barbeques.

Also included in the guidelines are recommendations for separate areas to prepare food and colour-coded kitchen equipment, as well as providing a vegan-friendly milk alternative.

The new guidelines follow a landmark case involving Jordi Casamitjana, which ruled that ‘ethical veganism’ is a philosophical belief.

Vegan Society spokesperson Matt Turner said: ‘It’s important that businesses up and down the country take note of these new guidelines and start to include them in their workplace policies and practices as soon as possible.

‘This ruling and the protection it confirms for ethical vegans are long overdue. The Vegan Society is happy to support any company that wants to take steps to improve life in the workplace for the hundreds of thousands of vegans in the UK.’

The society says a key part of its plan is creating a positive atmosphere in the office.

Also recommended is the chance for staff to discuss opting out of non-vegan pension schemes and purchasing non-vegan goods, as well as having access to items like non-leather phone cases.

The case means that ethical vegans are entitled to protections in the workplace under the Equality Act 2010, much like those with religious beliefs.

The ruling, which came after Mr Casamitjana said he was unfairly dismissed from the League Against Cruel Sports, could push some employers into changing their policies.

An employer which tells staff to wear safety footwear may need to provide non-leather alternatives, while those that provide meals are being told to offer vegan options.

Mr Casamitjana told Metro.co.uk: ‘I am glad the Vegan Society has produced this guidance, which I think is great.

‘I think it will be very useful to employers, as it gives practical advice on easy ways to improve the working conditions of their vegan staff.’

The advice was produced by the Society’s International Rights Network, chaired by legal expert Dr Jeanette Rowley, who gave evidence at the tribunal.

Dr Rowley suggested that the booklet ‘will help employers understand the needs of ethical vegans in the workplace, provides practical advice and detailed guidance on how to include vegans in diversity policies.’

The guidelines add: ‘Fostering a general attitude of respect towards vegan employees is key.

‘If “jokes” made about an employee’s veganism become burdensome, steps should be made to improve this.’

The society says around 600,000 in the UK are vegan.