Member of staff allowed to shout racial abuse in the office...

starcloud

My girlfriend who is Eastern European started working at an office of a company, placing international students, in central London a couple of weeks back. A member of staff on another team, who is a relative, of the general manager, shouts and screams all the time and bullies her staff. She is herself not white and likely not British Born.

Sure no direct issue here, well at least in terms of 'if you don't like it then leave' attitude.

However, yesterday after passing on a phone call from a Polish woman, this woman shouts to another member of staff about "f**king stupid Eastern Europeans, and Chinese are this ***,

This is a red line - being subjected to this. My gf is resigning today.

Issues are:

1) Acceptance of derogatory,inflammatory and racial language in the office by senior staff
2) Nepotism meaning this woman is not taken to task (at least a strong claim)
3) The office is full of international workers and the clients are mostly overseas. The fact that this is allowed is breath taking and deeply wrong.

Their accredited bodies will be contacted. We have signed contracts showing employment and also emails sent to managers, highlighting the concerns raised.

Is there any recourse to go to the police or other authorities about this? Other staff have verbally highlighted their concerns but are obviously afraid of losing their jobs.

ILW

starcloud wrote: »

My girlfriend who is Eastern European started working at an office of a company, placing international students, in central London a couple of weeks back. A member of staff on another team, who is a relative, of the general manager, shouts and screams all the time and bullies her staff. She is herself not white and likely not British Born.

Sure no direct issue here, well at least in terms of 'if you don't like it then leave' attitude.

However, yesterday after passing on a phone call from a Polish woman, this woman shouts to another member of staff about "f**king stupid Eastern Europeans, and Chinese are this ***,

This is a red line - being subjected to this. My gf is resigning today.

Issues are:

1) Acceptance of derogatory,inflammatory and racial language in the office by senior staff
2) Nepotism meaning this woman is not taken to task (at least a strong claim)
3) The office is full of international workers and the clients are mostly overseas. The fact that this is allowed is breath taking and deeply wrong.

Their accredited bodies will be contacted. We have signed contracts showing employment and also emails sent to managers, highlighting the concerns raised.

Is there any recourse to go to the police or other authorities about this? Other staff have verbally highlighted their concerns but are obviously afraid of losing their jobs.

And what business is this of yours?

ValHaller

Having resigned, she should move on from this and let it go. She should do no more and no less than cite it as the reason for resignation. If she was going to fight it, she should have stayed.

wiogs

What policies to the employers have in place to combat racism etc?

starcloud

ILW wrote: »

And what business is this of yours?

Addressing vile and racist attitudes in a work place which led to my partner losing her job over it. I won't let them get away with it.

dshart

Were the issues raised in a formal complaint following company procedure? and if so what was the management response?

starcloud

ValHaller wrote: »

Having resigned, she should move on from this and let it go. She should do no more and no less than cite it as the reason for resignation. If she was going to fight it, she should have stayed.

If she get's the money she is owed and they actually admit the situation and say they will address it then yes of course.

scheming_gypsy

Is she racist / being racist or just ranting? I spend half of my day ranting about people I have to deal with, much to the entertainment of everybody else in the office - of mixed races, sexes and whatever

starcloud

dshart wrote: »

Were the issues raised in a formal complaint following company procedure? and if so what was the management response?

The first time it happened the manager said she was aware of it and it will be dealt with. Nothing happened and then it happens again.

It is obvious that there is a level of impunity for this member of staff.

dshart

starcloud wrote: »

Addressing vile and racist attitudes in a work place which led to my partner losing her job over it. I won't let them get away with it.

Your partner did not lose their job, they resigned.

No one should have to put up with racial abuse in the workplace, but there should be a proper procedure to follow to get your partners concerns addressed. Resigning will not have achieved anything.

starcloud

scheming_gypsy wrote: »

Is she racist / being racist or just ranting? I spend half of my day ranting about people I have to deal with, much to the entertainment of everybody else in the office - of mixed races, sexes and whatever

No she is saying Eastern Europeans are f****** idiots they can't speak English and for some reason she then goes on about Chinese people being sh**s.

She obviously has mental/anger issues but it is more that the management thinks it is acceptable.

In an office you can't shout out "f****** N*****s after a phone call with a client who is black or f****** P****s after speaking to someone who is Pakistani.