The workplace issue....

[k27]

Do you know each other?

In essence she feels uncomfortable and discriminated against....this is wrong.

Banter is only acceptable between consenting parties and the workplace is rarely an appropiate place for it, especially if it is inherently racist or discriminatory.

He is the boyfriend I speak of.

I know he wants me to confront and if I were more like him then I know it would never have got this far. However, I am not good at confrontation.

The general racist banter etc has always got to me...but they seem to know that by me never joining in the conversations and I have just let them get on with it. I will make the odd remark when it just goes too far, but I prefer they have their idiotic convos without me.

But it really got to me when they started talking about my boyfriend. And it keeps coming up. Only yesterday I heard my manager tell one of the other managers 'Did you know her boyfriend's black?'

 

[Kenai]

Make a formal complaint, if you feel you cannot approach the HR informally with your concerns first. You have a right to fairness and dignity at work...the overt racism making you feel uncomfortable infringes on that basic right....any HR worth their job will crack down on it fast.

Or they'll just let her go and then she has to try and find another part time job that's as accommodating to be able to afford to complete her MSc.

I suspect the sort of company where the head of HR is one of the people behaving like this, they're more likely to just tell you to **** off than do anything about it.

Finding an alternative job first would definitely be sensible.

 

[k27]

Or they'll just let her go and then she has to try and find another part time job that's as accommodating to be able to afford to complete her MSc.

I suspect the sort of company where the head of HR is one of the people behaving like this, they're more likely to just tell you to **** off than do anything about it.

Finding an alternative job first would definitely be sensible.

exactly

 

[Castiel]

He is the boyfriend I speak of.

I know he wants me to confront and if I were more like him then I know it would never have got this far. However, I am not good at confrontation.

The general racist banter etc has always got to me...but they seem to know that by me never joining in the conversations and I have just let them get on with it. I will make the odd remark when it just goes too far, but I prefer they have their idiotic convos without me.

But it really got to me when they started talking about my boyfriend. And it keeps coming up. Only yesterday I heard my manager tell one of the other managers 'Did you know her boyfriend's black?

That is unacceptable and from Management even worse. I would take keep a diary of the incidents and see HR....I would also be inclined to report it higher up the chain.

If I had heard reports of this kind of behavior in the workplace when I was senior management then those responsible would have been disciplined and the management, if found to have ignored the situation or worse, encouraged it would have been replaced. This is a very serious issue and not one you should ignore or have to put up with. It breaches your fundamental expectations of dignity in the workplace and violates statutory obligations of the management to ensure that the workplace is both fair and non-discriminatory.

 

[Castiel]

Or they'll just let her go and then she has to try and find another part time job that's as accommodating to be able to afford to complete her MSc.

I suspect the sort of company where the head of HR is one of the people behaving like this, they're more likely to just tell you to **** off than do anything about it.

Finding an alternative job first would definitely be sensible.

Which would be illegal and open up the company to at best a constructive dismissal claim.....Discrimination is exempt from the minimum employment periods for unfair or constructive dismissal.

exactly

It is entirely up to you, however you should not be forced to accept discrimination and bullying through fear of losing your Job....there are statutory requirements that protect you....Contact the various links, they offer contacts that can advice you to your legal rights and remember you have the right to dignity, they do not have the right to take that away from you......

 

[Deleted member 77746]

@k27

As already stated by Castiel you must report this type of behaviour it is bullying. It has nothing to do with other people at all. Please ensure this is dealt with.

Write down everything that you hear or know, don't confront any of them.

 

[MrMoonX]

Where do you work.....The BNP Campaign Office?

actually LOL'd at this

 

[Pighardia]

I understand you wanting to protect your job, but as others have said you really should report this.

I imagine I would also be hesitant, as you don't want to be without a job especially at this time, but at the end of the day, it is the right thing to do.

I would also double check all of my rights before hand as it seems you are doing, I don't know anything really about work contracts, but it doesn't sound very secure, are you on some kind of probationary period or something? Is there anything to stop them just not renewing your monthly contract?

 

[Kenai]

Which would be illegal and open up the company to at best a constructive dismissal claim.....Discrimination is exempt from the minimum employment periods for unfair or constructive dismissal.

Is it illegal to just not renew someone's contract who is only a monthly contract?

Surely that's the entire point of having monthly contracts, so you can just let people go without a huge hassle that would come with someone who was more permanently employed?

What would be there to stop them just deciding they no longer required her services comes February?

 

[Deleted member 77746]

Or they'll just let her go and then she has to try and find another part time job that's as accommodating to be able to afford to complete her MSc.

I suspect the sort of company where the head of HR is one of the people behaving like this, they're more likely to just tell you to **** off than do anything about it.

Finding an alternative job first would definitely be sensible.

Companies are not allowed to get away with it. It would not be wise to just find a job straight away. Workplace bullying is not allowed. As Castiel said "constructive dismissal claim".

 

[Kenai]

Companies are not allowed to get away with it. It would not be wise to just find a job straight away. Workplace bullying is not allowed. As Castiel said "constructive dismissal claim".

So you would advise that she only seek alternative employment after she leaves/gets pushed?

 

[Castiel]

Is it illegal to just not renew someone's contract who is only a monthly contract?

Surely that's the entire point of having monthly contracts, so you can just let people go without a huge hassle that would come with someone who was more permanently employed?

What would be there to stop them just deciding they no longer required her services comes February?

If the refusal to renew was as a direct result of discrimination then yes...it is illegal. The moment she makes a formal grievance to the company they would be fools indeed to replace her, even on that basis of a month rolling contract, when she is making such a complaint. If they decide that the position is no longer required, they cannot then fill it, or one that can be deemed to have replaced it, for a minimum period, I think it is 6 months.....

The company are on really dodgy ground with this.

 

[233]

covert recording of the behaviour which gives you some hard evidence, try and keep a written record of what goes on as well it give you a proper log of evidence. esp if your HR person is one of the people involved. raise the issue with higher managment and if nothing is done you make a formal complaint and if neccesary go outisde the company in doing so

 

[Deleted member 77746]

So you would advise that she only seek alternative employment after she leaves/gets pushed?

I would rather stand up for my rights to be honest. Extremely unacceptable, any sort of bullying is wrong.

K27... do you have a contract you can refer to at all? You should have.... weekend reading for you.

 

[Kenai]

Correct me if i'm wrong but this sounds like a small-ish company to me, possibly where the level above management is 'owner'?

 

[Castiel]

Correct me if i'm wrong but this sounds like a small-ish company to me, possibly where the level above management is 'owner'?

It doesn't matter, the size of the company is irrelevant, He would still have the same responsibilities under employment law.

 

[skyripper]

Castiel is morally right, but I'd side with Kenai here.

If you can prove it, and the company is big enough to deal with it - go for it. Major PLC, government body or council or other large organisation - someones job will be to deal with this properly.

If we're talking Schmoes Shoeleather and Fudgepacking factory here. I would forget it until you've found somewhere better to work. Unless you have good union reps.

If the HR person for the company is like this openly in the office, you will have a fight on your hands if you persue it.

Incidentally as a Temp, if you've been there 12 weeks you have the same rights as most normal Employees following a recent change to the law. Theres probably something on directgov website about it.

On the other hand the cost of the average HR tribunal (once it gets to arbitration and lawyers) starts at around 30K, so out of court settlements can pay off nicely...

 

[Kenai]

I would rather stand up for my rights to be honest. Extremely unacceptable, any sort of bullying is work rights.

Whilst studying for an MSc personally i'd rather just take the path of least resistance, rather than distracting myself waging a paperwork war about my employment rights for a part time job I was only doing to pay for the MSc.

If that meant just getting another job and forgetting about it at all, i'd much much rather do that.

Sometimes there are other things that take priority. If it was a permanent full time job it'd be different.

 

[k27]

I would rather stand up for my rights to be honest. Extremely unacceptable, any sort of bullying is wrong.

K27... do you have a contract you can refer to at all? You should have.... weekend reading for you.

Yes I do. Will look into this but I feel it will say something along the lines of report any complaints to HR...

 

[Kenai]

It doesn't matter, the size of the company is irrelevant, He would still have the same responsibilities under employment law.

No but the difference being is that a large company would have these higher ups to go to, in a small company you may find that there is literally no sympathy anywhere and unless you were willing to pursue it all yourself through tribunals/courts etc. then they'd know they've got sod all to worry about.