With the start of the new academic year, we would like to draw attention to the importance of respecting important religious holidays when requested, particularly those of minoritised faiths. We have a few upcoming religious holidays during teaching intensive periods. Please do make note of these and support staff and student requests.

Different people have different approaches to practicing faith, so no one is expected to know about the needs of individuals. Together, we can try to make campus more inclusive (and in my opinion, vibrant and less tokenistic). To this end, please see below a quick list of useful resources and provisions at the university.

• One can find general information and guidance on supporting staff and students from this landing page on Religion and Belief
• This guidance overview relates to requests for flexibility and time off on religious grounds – please pay attention to the call to accommodate requests as the immediate response. If you have authority in this regard, please be sensitive to such requests.
• Do download or view the collaboratively compiled Faith Calendar! Please note that some days of observance have an impact on whether members of faith can work – some of these are imminent. They can be found in the Faith Calendar.
• Relatedly, we can also expand our knowledge and learn about the specific needs during Jewish High Holidays and Ramadan.

Some festivals may not have an impact on work, however, staff and students may take time off for religious holidays. Do try to ensure that this does not disadvantage them.

Our university calendars and days off continue to reflect a bias towards (certain) Christian holidays in a supposedly secular state, which puts members of minoritised faiths/religious minorities in the uncomfortable position of needing to request days off for events of religious significance. In recognition of this, we call on those who do not practice religion and those whose religious holidays are catered to (even if serendipitously) to be considerate towards holidays of importance to others.

I hope everyone finds these resources useful to have in one place, and the knowledge shared about different religions insightful (and if you end up nerding out about different calendars, know you are not alone).

In solidarity and with care,

Sinead (on behalf of UCU Committee)

This post if from an email to branch members, 19 September 2025, from Sinéad D’Silva, equality officer.

This page was last updated on 19 September 2025