New Guide to Support Jewish Staff Launched in London in 2026

Key Points

• National Guidance Launch: The Board of Deputies of British Jews has officially presented a newly expanded edition of its Employer’s Guide to Jews and Judaism to assist UK businesses, HR professionals, and organizational leaders in fostering inclusive workplaces.
• Ministerial Backing: Business Secretary Jonathan Reynolds welcomed the publication during the Strengthening the Jewish Way of Life and Combatting Antisemitism Conference at Lancaster House, where he convened a roundtable with business leaders.
• Two-Year Development: Produced through the Board’s BoD@Work initiative, the updated manual is the culmination of two years of extensive consultation across the UK business sector and Jewish community stakeholders.
• Updated Legal Framework: The resource provides revised legal advice, practical workplace adaptations, and detailed overviews of religious observances, dietary laws, and cultural practices.
• Protected Identity: The publication highlights the necessity for employers to understand Jewish identity as both an ethnicity and a religion, reflecting existing statutory protections under UK equality legislation.
• Broad Endorsements: Senior leaders from major UK bodies—including Acas, the Confederation of British Industry (CBI), the British Chambers of Commerce (BCC), CIPD, Make UK, UKHospitality, and TheCityUK—have endorsed the guide.

LONDON (Edition Online) October 29, 2026 — The Board of Deputies of British Jews has launched an expanded edition of its Employer’s Guide to Jews and Judaism, providing updated legal frameworks and practical guidance for UK businesses. Presented on Tuesday, October 27, 2026, at the Strengthening the Jewish Way of Life and Combatting Antisemitism Conference at Lancaster House, the initiative aims to help human resources teams and business leaders support Jewish personnel and eliminate workplace discrimination. Business Secretary Jonathan Reynolds formally welcomed the manual and hosted a dedicated roundtable discussion with corporate and civic leaders to address workplace antisemitism. Developed over two years under the BoD@Work programme, the document offers comprehensive instructions on accommodating religious practices, dietary requirements, and cultural observances in modern professional environments.

What Is the Purpose of the New Employer’s Guide to Jews and Judaism?

As reported by Annabel Sinclair of Jewish News, the newly expanded publication provides human resources personnel, line managers, and executive leaders with actionable strategies to support Jewish staff members effectively.

According to official releases from the Board of Deputies of British Jews, the manual was developed through its dedicated BoD@Work programme following two years of direct consultation with stakeholders spanning corporate industries, public institutions, and the Jewish community. The guide serves to bridge knowledge gaps for non-Jewish managers by providing an accessible overview of Jewish customs and explaining how religious commitments manifest in daily work routines.

As reported by the Jerusalem Post, the document sets out specific workplace accommodations, detailing guidelines on daily prayer requirements—which typically take approximately 15 minutes—and religious holiday scheduling. It covers dietary rules surrounding kashrut (kosher food), life-cycle milestones, and official bereavement protocols, including the traditional seven-day shiva mourning period. Furthermore, the text clarifies legal obligations under UK equality law, emphasizing that employers must recognize Jewish identity as encompassing both an ethnic and a religious background to ensure robust anti-discrimination protections.

How Has the UK Government Responded to the Initiative?

As reported by Workplace Journal, Business Secretary Jonathan Reynolds commended the release of the guide during the national conference hosted by Lord Mann, HM Government’s Independent Adviser on Antisemitism, at Lancaster House.

As reported by Workplace Journal, Business Secretary Jonathan Reynolds stated:

“I welcome this new guide which will help employers better understand Jewish practices, culture and law, so they can offer more support to Jewish employees who may feel uncertain about sharing their identity in the workplace at a time of heightened tension for the community.”

As detailed in the Board of Deputies official announcement, Business Secretary Jonathan Reynolds added:

“This practical advice will be invaluable to employers and organisations who are discussing it with their employees. It will help create workplaces where Jewish colleagues feel safe, valued and supported, and where antisemitism is recognised and challenged. I commend the expertise and commitment behind this important resource, which strengthens our shared determination across Government and in society generally to tackle antisemitism and ensure Jewish life thrives across the UK.”

During the Lancaster House conference, Reynolds convened a specialized roundtable with corporate executives and community representatives to discuss systemic workplace antisemitism and examine how the guide can be implemented across diverse business sectors.

What Are Representative Organisations Saying About the Updated Guidance?

As reported by Jewish News, senior leadership from the Board of Deputies and national advisory bodies emphasized the significance of the publication for workplace inclusion.

As reported in the official release, Karen Newman, Vice President of the Board of Deputies of British Jews, stated:

“Every employee should feel able to bring their whole self to work without fear of discrimination or exclusion.”

As reported in the official release, Lord Mann, HM Government’s Independent Adviser on Antisemitism, endorsed the document, stating:

“It is one of the most significant initiatives of recent years. Every employer needs to get a copy and use it.”

According to statements highlighted by Jewish News, the Advisory, Conciliation and Arbitration Service (Acas) also welcomed the publication.

As reported by Jewish News, an official spokesperson for Acas stated:

“Acas welcomes this practical guide to supporting Jewish employees in the workplace. Greater understanding, open conversations and avoiding assumptions about individual needs can help employers prevent discrimination and create workplaces where everyone is treated fairly and with respect.”

As reported in the Board of Deputies release, major commercial federations issued joint support, including Rain Newton-Smith, Chief Executive Officer of the Confederation of British Industry (CBI), Kate Shoesmith of the British Chambers of Commerce (BCC), Neil Carberry of the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (CIPD), Miles Celic OBE of TheCityUK, and Allen Simpson of UKHospitality.

What Is the Background of Workplace Inclusion Initiatives by the Board of Deputies?

The Board of Deputies of British Jews, established in 1760, serves as the primary representative body for the UK Jewish community. Through its specialized outreach arm, BoD@Work, the organization develops educational resources aimed at improving religious literacy, fostering social cohesion, and protecting civil rights in civic and corporate environments.

The original edition of the Employer’s Guide to Jews and Judaism was designed to address routine operational challenges faced by observant Jewish workers, such as early departures on Friday afternoons to observe the Sabbath (Shabbat) or taking leave during major festivals like Rosh Hashanah, Yom Kippur, and Passover.

Over the past two years, heightened societal tensions and documented increases in anti-Jewish prejudice led the Board to undertake a comprehensive revision of its corporate materials. The two-year review process incorporated direct feedback from employee resource groups, legal experts, human resource directors, and trade federations. The resulting 2026 edition incorporates expanded legal definitions under the Equality Act 2010, updated guidance on establishing Jewish Employee Networks (JENs), and explicit strategies for reporting and handling antisemitic incidents in modern hybrid and remote work settings.

How Will This Development Affect UK Employers, HR Professionals, and Business Leaders?

The release of the expanded Employer’s Guide to Jews and Judaism and its high-level endorsement by HM Government will directly influence corporate policy, human resource management, and workplace compliance across the United Kingdom.

1. HR Professionals and Corporate Leadership

For human resource departments, diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) officers, and executive teams, the guide provides a standardized, legally aligned framework to update internal policies. Employers are expected to review existing religious accommodation procedures, flexible working arrangements for Sabbath observance, and corporate catering policies to ensure compliance with equity standards. The explicit endorsement by organizations such as the CIPD and Acas signals that the guide’s recommendations will increasingly be viewed as industry best practice when evaluating workplace fairness and handling grievances.

2. Industry Sectors and Employee Groups

For specific commercial sectors—including hospitality, finance, manufacturing, and the public sector—industry leaders will utilize the guide to train frontline managers and expand internal awareness. The guide provides structured blueprints for establishing formal Jewish Employee Groups within large organizations, enabling companies to foster supportive peer networks. By establishing clear, practical benchmarks for handling religious observances and tackling discriminatory behavior, the initiative equips management teams across the UK to reduce legal liability and build safer, more inclusive working environments.