Ladbible features Alex Monaco on vegan discrimination at work
Alex Monaco, Senior Partner at Monaco Solicitors, is reported in June 2019 by Ladbible.com, talking about vegan discrimination:
‘Lawyer Says Vegans Shouldn’t Have To Buy Cow’s Milk For Work Brews
A lawyer has said he believes vegans should have protections in work, meaning they don’t have to buy cow’s milk for brew rounds and that staff canteen should have vegan options.
Alex Monaco, from law firm Monaco Solicitors, says he hopes that the law will eventually be changed so vegans are covered by the Equality Act 2010. Currently, the Equality Act covers discrimination on a number of grounds including religion or belief, disability, and sexuality. Alex isn’t the only one, either, with other vegan campaigners also calling for a change in the law.
Alex Monaco has said ‘the ultimate goal’ is to change the law to include veganism as a protected belief. Credit: Monaco Solicitors. Alex says that employers should be legally required to ‘ensure vegans are protected at work and are offered options’.
“If you were Jewish or Muslim and told to get a round of bacon sandwiches in, no one would bat an eyelid if you refused. But if you’re vegan and refused to buy a pint of milk to make tea because you believe the dairy industry is torturing cows, then you would be laughed out of the kitchen. Many vegans go to the work canteen and find there is nothing there to eat which is plant-based. Or you’ll go on an away day, and you’ll find the sandwiches all have butter in them.”
He’s also said that vegans are often ‘bullied’ both at work and in everyday life. “Vegans do get bullied”, he explained. “I was even bullied on a holiday with friends when I couldn’t eat anything from the butcher’s or pizzeria. I’m not even particularly vulnerable – so how do you think a vegan on a building site could be treated?” Adding: “The ultimate aim is to get the law changed so that the Equality Act includes vegans.”
Alex, who is a vegan, is now offering other vegans free consultations if they think they have been discriminated against while at work because of their beliefs.
Although he’s hoping for changes to the law in the future, Alex says younger people are more tolerant than previous generations. He said: “The tide is changing now. It’s movement. If we can get the law changed, people’s views may follow on from that.”’
Read the article in full: https://www.ladbible.com/news/uk-lawyer-says-vegans-shouldnt-have-to-buy-cows-milk-for-work-brews-20190608