Most organisations have a section on Victimisation in their disciplinary policy stating that it is gross misconduct, but then don’t recognise Victimisation when it happens. This can be a tricky and costly error. Similarly, Claimants often are not aware they have been Victimised until their solicitor gives them the happy news that they can increaseContinue reading “Knowing the difference between discrimination and Victimisation is so important for employers”
Category Archives: Racism
What classes as harassment or discrimination at work?
A short answer to this important question would be ‘treating someone less favourably in a way that relates to a ‘protected characteristic’ such as their race, sex, sexual orientation etc.’ Don’t worry about the difference between the 2 terms, that is more for lawyers. For employers, the key is to recognise and then tackle behavioursContinue reading “What classes as harassment or discrimination at work?”
How can employers protect themselves against claims for harassment or discrimination?
Recent press articles suggest the bar is incredibly low for what constitutes harassment or discrimination at work. Take the recent case where an organisation lost a tribunal for sexual harassment supposedly because the boss didn’t say good morning to a female colleague when he did to male staff. Whereas such headlines are worrying for employers,Continue reading “How can employers protect themselves against claims for harassment or discrimination?”
If someone overhears a sexist comment at work can they make a claim as if the remark was aimed at them?
The short answer is yes! Take the iconic (well, for HR geeks at least) council swimming pool example, which is often one of the first cases discussed on employment law training courses. In this case a lifeguard employee made lewd comments about a lady who was swimming lengths in the pool to another lifeguard. TheContinue reading “If someone overhears a sexist comment at work can they make a claim as if the remark was aimed at them?”
Why is it more costly to call a colleague a Scottish ***** than a scouse ****?
Strange but true! This is because nationality is covered under the definition of race discrimination and harassment whereas region of the UK is not. Please don’t take this as an open invitation to abuse scousers, geordies or anyone else though as even though this would not be racial harassment it is highly likely to beContinue reading “Why is it more costly to call a colleague a Scottish ***** than a scouse ****?”
Try not to comment on a colleague’s appearance. It can prove costly!
In our recently released ‘banter and behaviour in the workplace’ e-learning course (see below for further details), one of the examples we give of sexual harassment / discrimination is ‘commenting on an individual’s dress or appearance’. This is one of several examples of sexual harassment quoted in most legal courses and also the CIPD’s legalContinue reading “Try not to comment on a colleague’s appearance. It can prove costly!”
Only 4 percent of the UK population is Muslim. Why do people think it is fifteen percent?
These are the most recent figures from a YouGov study. It also found that, whereas the Asian population of the UK is seven percent, we perceive it to be fifteen. This overestimation of the size of Muslim and Asian communities in the UK has been a feature throughout my HR career, and I can onlyContinue reading “Only 4 percent of the UK population is Muslim. Why do people think it is fifteen percent?”
Does the virtue signalling hypocrisy of our football authorities know no bounds?
Every week I become more and more disillusioned with the contradictory and hypocritical actions of the football authorities, broadcasters and other influential figures in the sport that I love. Professing to be resolute in their pursuit of zero tolerance towards racism, homophobia, sexism and other discrimination they lecture us and take high profile and heavyContinue reading “Does the virtue signalling hypocrisy of our football authorities know no bounds?”
Are footballers becoming a force for good in helping to tackle racism?
With football clubs and players hero worshipped in their local communities in a way that politicians can only dream of, they are ideally placed to make a real difference in the fight against racism. Most clubs have a long and proud history of supporting their local communities and there seems to be a growing desireContinue reading “Are footballers becoming a force for good in helping to tackle racism?”