What Does the Law Say on Poppies and Remembrance Day?

The poppy has long been a nationally recognised symbol of remembrance for those who gave their lives in war. Inspired by the World War One poem In Flanders Fields, the poppy has been used to commemorate fallen soldiers since 1921, but it has been the centre of some controversy in recent years.

With some high profile individuals opting not to wear a poppy in public, employers and employees are now asking for employment law advice to clearly understand their rights when it comes to wearing a poppy.

Alexandra Owen, senior associate at DAS Law, tells employers and employees what they need to know…

▪ Can your employer insist you wear a poppy to work?

As the law currently stands, the answer is no. Insisting that employees wear a poppy to work could amount to discrimination to another religions or belief of a different type. It is advised that an employer considers this if they are minded to insist their employees wear a poppy to work.

▪ Can your employer legally stop you from wearing a poppy at work?

This would depend on the employer’s reasons for stopping you from wearing a poppy at work. In 2015, a KFC worker claimed that he was dismissed for wearing a remembrance poppy. KFC’s response was that it was due to health and safety, stating that their policy was a blanket ban on wearing any type of badge or pin whilst working in the kitchen as it poses a foreign body risk. This was not pursued in any courts to determine whether this would be acceptable, but potentially, any court may accept this as non-discriminatory.

▪ What can I do if I want to wear a poppy but have been stopped from doing so by my employer?

This would depend on the reasons provided by the employer. However, given that an employee has the difficulty of convincing an employment tribunal that wearing a poppy is a ‘belief’ then it would be difficult to succeed in any claim for discrimination.

▪ If my employer insists I wear a poppy, do they have to cover the costs?

No, there is no requirement for the costs to be covered. However, a reasonable employer that is insisting upon workers wearing something for, or to, work is likely to cover the costs involved, provide the poppies themselves, and would probably make a corporate donation to a relevant charity.

▪ Overall, where does employment law stand on wearing a poppy?

Employment law provides protection against discrimination relating to certain characteristics which people may possess. In this situation, it would be religion or belief, such as philosophical belief.

In order to rely on a philosophical belief, case law has provided some guidance on how to assess this, with the following: the belief must be a genuine belief held; it must be a belief and not an opinion or a viewpoint; it must be weighty and substantial aspect of human life and behaviour; and it must attain a certain level of cogency, seriousness, cohesion and importance.

An ex-serviceman in the case of Lisk v Shield Guardian Co Ltd stated that he wore a poppy because it was his belief that “we should pay respects to those who have given their lives for us by wearing a poppy”. In this case, the tribunal formed the view that this belief was too “narrow” so it did not meet the requirement of showing a philosophical belief. Given that an individual only wears a poppy for a short period, once a year, then it is unlikely to show that it has a ‘weighty and substantial’ aspect on their life and behaviour.

However, a case was successful in Northern Ireland where a former police officer was refused entry into a Belfast bar for wearing a poppy. He was successful in the county court as they had formed the view that it was unlawful discrimination on the basis of his religious belief and political opinion. This was backed by the Equality Commission for Northern Ireland.

 Disclaimer: This information is for general guidance regarding rights and responsibilities and is not formal legal advice as no lawyer-client relationship has been created.