My son has been racially abused at work, what can he do?

Question

He is 23yrs old and has been taunted about his colour, he is mixed race.I am of caribbean origin and his father is english( white). The thing is this has carried on from when he was at school. I try very hard to encourage my son to work hard, and that nothing in life comes easy.

He has just come to me for the third time with the same story again what can I do? Racism is a terrible taboo in this country. I have had the same thing for many years, my husband said I must of did something for them to be racist to me, I was born in england and sound very much like an english woman.Please help!

Answer 1

He needs to go talk to Human Resources... which all companies have.... He needs to have proof of what you are saying is happening...

Answer 2

what country are you in that racism is so taboo? he can complain to a supervisor, and if that don't help, then take it to the labour board.

Answer 3

How do you know he is telling the truth, and that he's not just saying it for attention/benefits/a reason to quit? Racism in the work place is incredibly rare these days. It's more common for ethnic minorities to fake these incidents to claim compensation. Seen it many a times, and it's sickening.

Answer 4

You surely can't be talking about the US. This is the most racially diverse country in the world, if you are pro white in this country they call you a n**i (not a good title, especially in America)

Answer 5

well it's very hard to know what to do without more facts.. was it discrimination or just direct racial insults? If so was it a direct insult or just a playful jest that might be taken the wrong way?

But if he's really upset about it, he should definitely talk to someone.. I'd say the right people at the company, the offender's immediate superior would be best to start with, but there is a chance that that person will just side with the offender, in which case go to the top, or tell the police.

But definitely best to start off small- if he goes straight to the police it's opening a can of worms- as that'll cause a big fuss in the company and there will unfortunately be some resentment

Answer 6

your son must report the person or persons to his boss at work if he does not then they will keep doing it.

its time he stood up to these fools and showed them he is not taking it

Answer 7

Your son's employer should have a policy against discrimination or harrassment of any kind and should have procedures in place to deal with it.

Your son should raise a grievance in line with that procedure, being as detailed as possible, and including the names of any witnesses - which could be vital to any case.

Answer 8

The following advice is based on English Law.

Your employer should have written discrimination policies. Consult them.

An employee who suffers any form of discrimination at work should immediately report to his/her manager and HR department of the instance.

They should then take the relevant steps to tackle the issue.

If this route does not resolve the issue or it the manager himself/herself is the discriminator, then the employee should invoke the employers grievance procedure.

This is a formal procedure that all employers should have and which you as an employee should have been made aware of prior to starting work.

This grievance procedure involves the employee writing down his or her grievance in a letter to the manager/HR and stating that they want to invoke the legal statutory grievance procedure and the formal route to resolving it.

Once the letter is written, the employer would either write back outlining their course of actions or would ususally invite the employee back for a formal meeting.

These meetings should resolve the issues.

If not, contact the people below (preferably the CRE), as legal action may be the last option. This may involve as claim in the employment tribunal or a settlement of some sort or some sort of restitution.

Contact the commision for racial equality for further advice and or the CAB and or ACAS.

Answer 9

If you are in the UK you can report this to the police. It is taken VERY seriously. I would, however, give his employer a chance to deal with it first. If he does not receive any satisfaction I would suggest he complains a second time, calls the police and leaves his employment and files for constructive dismissal.

One suggestion would be to keep a diary of what goes on. This will prove invaluable later.

xx VP

Answer 10

well, this is unacceptable. he should tell the boss, or even the police. Racism is a very serious matter, and should not be accepted by anyone.

Answer 11

Come to Canada.

We're civilized here.

Answer 12

In most civilised countries Racial Abuse is a criminal offence,it is also a severe disciplinary matter with any company certainly here in the UK.

Your son must not put up with this and needs to bring this matter to the attention of his superior,if it is his superior that is the abuser then he must go to his Employer and inform him he will contact the Police if the matter is not dealt with as a matter of urgency.

Most of all your son is not employed by the company as a tool for abuse of any kind.If he is a member of a union contact the shop Steward.

Good luck.

Answer 13

As other said complain to HR - quote the Equality Act 2006.

Answer 14

Maybe you should move to the US where you can be put up on a pedistal simply for being a person of color.  

You sound like a good person but if you live in the US you don't even have to be, the color thing works for you and you will be entitled to a lot of free stuff.  

Answer 15

I would also ask which country you are in this doesn't happen much in the USA if it happens period nowadays.

I have a hard time believing that they would allow it to happen in the first place.

Answer 16

Which country are you in?  Why can't he complain to the police?

Answer 17

Your son should complain immediately to his H.R dept. This is completely unacceptable and the people who do this should be reported. If your son is not a member of a union,then I suggest he joins. I am a member of Unite and have recently been a victim of sexual harassment at work and they were fantastic

It`s really sad nowadays that some pathetic small minded idiots see a persons colour rather than the actual person. But rest assured they are in the minority and will get their come uppence eventually. Your son should hold his head high and be proud of who he is. But he must make an official complaint