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Original poster

To have been “racially” profiled by HR

496 replies

Donotfitin · 16/03/2026 10:10

I don’t have a British name (like at all), so HR assumed I needed a right to work code, so asked for one, rather than asking if I was a citizen or not.

As a UK citizen I only need to provide my passport, so the whole thing took me completely by surprise!

Its the first time in my whole life that it was assumed that I wasn’t a citizen. I’ve

OP posts:
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8
Dweetfidilove · 17/03/2026 17:56

anyolddinosaur · 17/03/2026 16:24

As you were headhunted it is possible that someone told HR more about you than appears on your cv. I go with the simplest explanation is usually true so would think it likely that they looked at your name and made an assumption. Stupid of them and everyone should be asked if they have the right to work here instead.

Was this a significant error that means you will be treated badly in future - not really. If you want to label any minor error as a "micro aggression" then you are likely to find people avoiding you out of fear. That is a form of bullying that fuels racism.

That is a form of bullying that fuels racism.

What does this even mean?

anyolddinosaur · 17/03/2026 16:24

As you were headhunted it is possible that someone told HR more about you than appears on your cv. I go with the simplest explanation is usually true so would think it likely that they looked at your name and made an assumption. Stupid of them and everyone should be asked if they have the right to work here instead.

Was this a significant error that means you will be treated badly in future - not really. If you want to label any minor error as a "micro aggression" then you are likely to find people avoiding you out of fear. That is a form of bullying that fuels racism.

Original poster
Donotfitin · 17/03/2026 16:11

AgualusasL0ver · 17/03/2026 16:11

It doesn’t matter whether the OP has 7 flags, 12 degrees all from non UK unis and speaks all the languages of the globe, the correct question is still: please provide your right to work in UK - here’s the list’.

Exactly :)

OP posts:
AgualusasL0ver · 17/03/2026 16:11

It doesn’t matter whether the OP has 7 flags, 12 degrees all from non UK unis and speaks all the languages of the globe, the correct question is still: please provide your right to work in UK - here’s the list’.

Original poster
Donotfitin · 17/03/2026 16:10

Soontobe60 · 17/03/2026 16:03

I would hazard a guess that someone in your new employment knows that you’re Mexican possibly with Mexican parents and also a Mexican accent so assumed you’re not a British Citizen, hence the request for a share code.

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my ex colleagues know I’m a British citizen (and I don’t have a Mexican accent FYI)

or they completely forgot my background if I’m 100% honest, it’s not like we were super close

OP posts:
Soontobe60 · 17/03/2026 16:03

Donotfitin · 17/03/2026 14:55

so tell me exactly how when all they can see is experience and education in the UK?

The only thing that isn’t British is my name….

Show quote history

I would hazard a guess that someone in your new employment knows that you’re Mexican possibly with Mexican parents and also a Mexican accent so assumed you’re not a British Citizen, hence the request for a share code.

Dweetfidilove · 17/03/2026 16:01

BedlamEveryday · 17/03/2026 15:16

Omg, just drop it. Seriously. You are making yourself look ridiculous now.

And many people work abroad from time to time. Doesn’t mean you can assume that they’re not British.

Why are you so determined to defend someone who assumed OP doesn’t belong here?

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Can they actually stop themselves? That person is intent on reaching the deepest depths of ridiculous 😃.

BedlamEveryday · 17/03/2026 15:17

honeybeetheoneandonly · 17/03/2026 14:58

I still think it's a mistake. Surely even if someone had a foreign name, looks, foreign accent and a T-shirt that says "born in Mexico" it still tells you jack shit about their current citizenship and I would expect any HR person to know that.

I mean you’d think so but according to another poster on this thread, spending any time working or studying abroad means it is understandable to make such an assumption.

BedlamEveryday · 17/03/2026 15:16

Clavinova · 17/03/2026 14:40

So, not your first degree? Your LinkedIn profile?

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Omg, just drop it. Seriously. You are making yourself look ridiculous now.

And many people work abroad from time to time. Doesn’t mean you can assume that they’re not British.

Why are you so determined to defend someone who assumed OP doesn’t belong here?

honeybeetheoneandonly · 17/03/2026 14:58

I still think it's a mistake. Surely even if someone had a foreign name, looks, foreign accent and a T-shirt that says "born in Mexico" it still tells you jack shit about their current citizenship and I would expect any HR person to know that.

RasaSayangEh · 17/03/2026 14:58

I’ll make a prediction - Despite the prolific, clearly intensely-felt inquisitorial clown dancing this afternoon, the “nothing to see here, cancel the cheque” crowd will magically not see this either Grin

Dweetfidilove · 17/03/2026 14:56

Megifer · 17/03/2026 14:43

Op can you tell us where you were the day JFK was shot?

😂😂😂😂.

Original poster
Donotfitin · 17/03/2026 14:55

Clavinova · 17/03/2026 14:54

Nothing to do with being purist. The op has clearly been evasive in some of her answers and may not be telling the whole truth as to why HR made an incorrect assumption.

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so tell me exactly how when all they can see is experience and education in the UK?

The only thing that isn’t British is my name….

OP posts:
Clavinova · 17/03/2026 14:54

RasaSayangEh · 17/03/2026 14:43

Nobody expects the Purist British Inquisition either Grin

OP, I think a certain poster wants you to provide your pedigree, your blood type, your primary school swimming certificate, Blue Peter badges, and a full explanation of every word you have ever typed on MN.

But it’s definitely absolutely certainly not xenophobia, oh no Wink

Edited
Show quote history

Nothing to do with being purist. The op has clearly been evasive in some of her answers and may not be telling the whole truth as to why HR made an incorrect assumption.

Dweetfidilove · 17/03/2026 14:50

Clavinova · 17/03/2026 13:12

So, no details at all regarding education in another country? Why were you evasive answering the previous poster's question?

I don’t mention anything about my citizenship anywhere

You say you were headhunted for the role and a few ex-colleagues work in the new place. Perhaps the person recommending you/your ex-colleagues suggested you had a different nationality?

Are you active on social media? Do you post about another country or have a flag in your profile?

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Well, you've added a rather curious and exotic flavour to the thread today. Let's see what relevant information you extract from the OP, that negates the rather discriminatory question asked by the HR person 🤔.

Another day, another round of foolery...
🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣

Bakedbertie · 17/03/2026 14:47

Megifer · 17/03/2026 14:43

Op can you tell us where you were the day JFK was shot?

No, that’s absurd - she needs to tell us where she was the day Princess Di died of course .

Jamesblonde2 · 17/03/2026 14:45

Eh OP just get on with your work and stop looking for a problem when there isn’t one. Some other person would no doubt be grateful for the job.

Original poster
Donotfitin · 17/03/2026 14:44

Megifer · 17/03/2026 14:43

Op can you tell us where you were the day JFK was shot?

LOL … side note my DM still remembers when she heard the news !

OP posts:
Megifer · 17/03/2026 14:43

Op can you tell us where you were the day JFK was shot?

RasaSayangEh · 17/03/2026 14:43

Shakshuka4ever · 17/03/2026 14:38

😂

Nobody expects the Purist British Inquisition either Grin

OP, I think a certain poster wants you to provide your pedigree, your blood type, your primary school swimming certificate, Blue Peter badges, and a full explanation of every word you have ever typed on MN.

But it’s definitely absolutely certainly not xenophobia, oh no Wink

Original poster
Donotfitin · 17/03/2026 14:42

Clavinova · 17/03/2026 14:40

So, not your first degree? Your LinkedIn profile?

Show quote history

Again I only have my UK history… as realistically my previous employment/academic history is pretty pointless.

OP posts:
Clavinova · 17/03/2026 14:40

Donotfitin · 17/03/2026 14:38

I only lost both my UK experience and UK education in my CV.

So again they can only assume I’m not British by my name.

Show quote history

So, not your first degree? Your LinkedIn profile?

Original poster
Donotfitin · 17/03/2026 14:38

Clavinova · 17/03/2026 14:35

How am I confused?

I was being somewhat tongue-in-cheek - you obviously have your reasons for being evasive up thread. I still doubt the error was based solely on your name. Was the degree from LSE your first degree?

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I only lost both my UK experience and UK education in my CV.

So again they can only assume I’m not British by my name.

OP posts:
Shakshuka4ever · 17/03/2026 14:38

😂

nobody expects GIF
Clavinova · 17/03/2026 14:35

Donotfitin · 17/03/2026 14:28

How am I confused?

I'm a British citizen with a British passport :/

Show quote history

How am I confused?

I was being somewhat tongue-in-cheek - you obviously have your reasons for being evasive up thread. I still doubt the error was based solely on your name. Was the degree from LSE your first degree?