Made a complaint of racism at work

[greyandwindy]

As the above, I've made a complaint of racism in my workplace.
I dont know why but I now have conflicting feelings in my head about whether I did the right thing even though I know I did.

I have witnessed and heard behaviour that makes me uncomfortable and I think is racist, I have called it out at the time but it is played down. I've brought it to my managers attention before and it wasn't dealt with so I have now complained higher up. I've received a reply and have been assured it will be taken seriously and have an initial phone call scheduled to discuss further.

I feel conflicted in that I work well with these people, can have a cup of tea and a joke with them but inside I know they are racist and I hate them for it.

I know that this will cause waves but I know that this behaviour must be challenged.
I'm not worried in that I have made the right decision but selfishly am worried how this may play out in the work atmosphere.
Has anyone made a complaint like this?

Let the managers deal with it, if its racism they brought it on themselves

It’s difficult to tell tbh without knowing what exactly happened.

If it was racism then hopefully the manager you originally reported it to will also receive the appropriate warnings and further training.

Someone raised a grievance claiming racism at my work but it dismissed as it wasn’t racism.

I dont want to go into details however what I've reported is blatant racism as in comments and statements being said and also what I'd call subtle racism where by it could be explained away even though I personally feel it is racist behaviour.
It isn't one colleague I have reported it is a workplace issue as it isn't just one person.
If its relevant I am white British and the racism I have reported wasn't directed at me but to customers and also other colleagues.

The cynic in me wouldn’t want to discuss the matter with the company via an informal phone call OP. Depending on the seniority of the individuals you’ve complained about and and their perceived value to the organisation vs. mine, I’d want that conversation to be accurately documented. Beware of potential counter accusations and enlist the support of your union if you have one.

Thank you for this.
The first phone call was said to discuss further as the person I emailed is away at the moment and then a meeting will be scheduled according to our availability.
The company I work for is a big company and you all would know it if I said what it is.
I will bear all of this in mind thank you

Good luck with it. Are you going to move jobs/department?

Does this mean you think I won't be able to continue working there afterwards? 😬

I imagine that's the case, yes.

do you even want to keep working there? it's not like systemic racism is going to just disappear is it?

You think it is racist?

I complained at one job (not racism, but abusive behaviour) and my contract was abruptly ended the following week.

I taught myself employment law and sued them for direct disability discrimination. Settled after 1.5 years and after making a disclosure in the public interest where they were dropped from a major award.

It was very stressful though since I was working long hours at another job and also studying part time. My health suffered and my life was on hold (no relationship, no moving house etc) until it ended.

I was also threatened with their legal costs that could have bankrupted me. I just couldn't let them get away with it.

I sometimes still regret it not going to a public hearing.

So in my experience, they'll try to get rid of you.

However, I earn a lot more now. I was definitely blacklisted for a year but got through it.

Would you want to?

But yes, I imagine they will all be a bit off with you once they find out you reported them, yes.

Wow, respect to you @Cola2023

No I don't want to keep working there and am taking steps to leave however I don't think I should be pushed out due to calling out racist behaviour.

When I said I think its racist I meant I know its racist, I'm working on not using wishy washy language when communicating. It is definitely racist and I made that clear in my complaint.

Firstly, can we all just acknowledge that you absolutely did the right thing, and thank you for speaking up.

Management will be needing to put measures in place, such as training and monitoring to deal with this. It should be done in a way that protects you too, so expect to be included in any initiatives.

If you do experience any backlash, then go straight to HR. Whistleblowing is taken seriously in most companies, especially big ones.

People objecting to racism around them is how we all move forwards to a more civilised and better society. You've just done your bit in the ongoing process.

You "think" it's racism?
Are you sure you are not becoming over invested in what "might" be happening, and what might also cost you your job.
Also 'white saviour' comes to mind.

How do you know OP is white?

Former union rep here. You know you've done the right thing, but yes, life at work could become quite uncomfortable for you. Management should take your complaint seriously, investigate and follow their internal processes to resolve it. They can also make it clear that you should not be further harassed for making a legitimate complaint, but we all know that what management say and what people choose to do aren't always in line. So you should prepare yourself that things might get difficult. Document any unpleasantness, make a note of who said it, time, date and context, and any witnesses. Be prepared to bring that to management's attention if needed.

If you are planning to leave, it's worth having a discussion with senior management when you hand in your notice, about what your reference will say.

Good luck, you have done the right thing, racism is allowed to grow and fester when people are too scared to call it out. You doing this will send a signal to other people in your organisation that they don't have to put up with it either.

@saltnsaucey

"If its relevant I am white British..."

OP's own words.

Yes I did, nearly 20 years ago now! I was uninvited to a team wedding, no one wanted to work with me and there were always, careful what you say around me ‘jokes’ I ended up moving departments but my reputation followed and I ended up leaving.

Well done for speaking up OP. People under-report racism more than anything so don’t feel bad or doubtful about what you have did. In an office of 9 professionals only one (me) thought to report one woman saying the N word.

I had a similar experience in a former job except it was ongoing racist behaviour towards myself.

My employer settled before tribunal and most importantly to me at my appeal, acknowledged it was racism I had suffered and apologised for the initial grievance being poorly conducted. I left shortly after as I was moving abroad but while I had allies there who are good friends to this day the culprits would definitely have tried to victimise me if I’d remained.

Interestingly enough a colleague who supported me through this (she spoke up in the grievance process) is now back in that workplace years later. It seems most of the racists moved on and she said it’s like a different place now and what we did made a difference! 🙌🏾

I also had my contract terminated shortly after raising another issue (not racist
this tome) in another job a few years later like @Cola2023 did. It was quite a shock but it worked out great for me as I was already looking for a new job.

And I got 5 months pay settlement via ACAS and was only out of work for 2 months so I was quids in lol

I really don’t know how it’s like to stay on at a workplace long term after reporting racism. Just keep a record of things and remember that victimisation should be reported too.

I'm happy to be a white saviour if it means calling out what is not right.

So as to be clear examples in my complaint were people of Asian descent being referred to as P*kis, discussions around a Muslim person being a terrorist, slagging another colleague off for having a black partner, something really offensive regarding a black customer and them needing to order more bananas and this isnt the half of it.

That’s horrendous OP 😣 most racism in British workplaces is so insidious and hard to prove but tbh it’s still as or even more damaging than ouvert racism because - and you’ll see it in this thread - there’s no shortage of people who will say you’re being over sensitive and the gaslighting ramps up when you say anything .

But in your colleagues case..wow..they aren’t even trying to hide it or be subtle at all. I hope your workplace take serious action such as firing the culprits.

The only thing is it may be your word against theirs unless there’s another decent person who backs you up

That is awful. Blatently racist and offensive. No company should tolerate it

It's the right thing to do and I would do the same regardless of the outcome!!!!