Racism allegation at work

[Ticklemelmo]

Without outing I know someone that made a genuine mistake at the beginning of the year by putting something unintentionally racist in a work social media group, someone of colour in the group said it wasn't appropriate, and the person I know apologised directly straight away because they didn't realise.
Months later and a week into the BLM coming out they've come back and accused that person and several others of racism in the work place.

I can't speak for the others impacted by the racist allegations, but this person is now going through a disciplinary with a potential of dismissal?

Aibu to think that this is completely unfair? Anyone work in HR who has dealt with this and can give some expection of outcome.

I do think that it was reasonable to follow through to a disciplinary process though, it sounds like this individual needs to take more care and be more mindful of their conduct in the workplace. A warning seems reasonable.'

You are backtracking, your OP is about the disciplinary being unfair as well. It's good this person speaking up is forcing people to change their views.

If what you've said is true then they won't be dismissed. There is no way this would end in dismissal unless there's more to the story.

So don't get what your problem is.

Is this about you?

@ChaChaCha2012

How long has the person worked at the company? The worst thing they can do, is try to minimise the issue, or deflect that it was only brought up because of BLM.

What education would help this person?

The accused 6 or so years, the accuser 1 year.

Education wise a social media one would be a good start and then a further one on discrimination. The work does have those available or there may be new ones I'm not sure what there is.

No sorry, it isn’t unfair.

I’m sick of having to accept apologies for people being racist, because they didn’t realise what they were saying, or sharing was racist, upsetting ot offensive.

Mistakes happen fine. But if you’re friend is sharing a video in a work place social media group, she should have the brains to ensure she watches the whole thing.

You’re = your

@simba65

If what you've said is true then they won't be dismissed. There is no way this would end in dismissal unless there's more to the story.

So don't get what your problem is.

Is this about you?

No it's not me but someone close.

And no there's no more to the story. (I've probably already said too much, I'm not even supposed to know) The person is just worried sick and stressed because policy (and online) says for this type of disciplinary commonly results in dismissal. If their job was lost it could mean losing the house because things are already tight at the moment.

OP, do you have any conception of how hard it is to be a minority in the UK? And then couple that with having to watch a racist video in a work chat group? None of your posts have shown any sympathy to the person making the allegations.

@Tunnocks34

No sorry, it isn’t unfair.

I’m sick of having to accept apologies for people being racist, because they didn’t realise what they were saying, or sharing was racist, upsetting ot offensive.

Mistakes happen fine. But if you’re friend is sharing a video in a work place social media group, she should have the brains to ensure she watches the whole thing.

But by saying it's not unfair, would you say the person deserves to lose their job?

This could be the equivalent of "logging with 101" so that when this continues or worse stuff comes then the accuser can establish a pattern.

I think that linking the accusers actions to BLM is pretty mean btw. I'm not black but have suffered my share of racism for years and I bet the accuser has too.

@Cadent

OP, do you have any conception of how hard it is to be a minority in the UK? And then couple that with having to watch a racist video in a work chat group? None of your posts have shown any sympathy to the person making the allegations.

That's not true and not fair either, I've said a few times they have a right to raise the wider issue.

This isn't about the whole issue, I'm talking about this sole incident.

What I find interesting is that you’ve framed it as though the person complaining is only reporting it following the BLM movement as though they’re jumping on a bandwagon. They’re probably only reporting it now because this is the first time they’ve felt safe to do so.

This won't be identifying to outsiders, but will be to the people involved if they see it. or have it pointed out to them. I wonder if the point of this post is so the accused can complained that people were influenced because they may have seem you post - so it's "unfair." It would be very difficult for management to prove that they didn't look on Mumsnet ever!

@Cadent

I do think that it was reasonable to follow through to a disciplinary process though, it sounds like this individual needs to take more care and be more mindful of their conduct in the workplace. A warning seems reasonable.'

You are backtracking, your OP is about the disciplinary being unfair as well. It's good this person speaking up is forcing people to change their views.

That was part of my comment that you posted (the bold bit), not the OPs. 🙂

I haven’t backtracked, my first response was that it was right and proper that this was investigated.

I think dismissal is completely unfair, however my thoughts would be an educational punishment be the best case scenario. Or the potential lose the yearly bonus.

But nothing has happened yet, you’re assuming they’re going to be dismissed before anything has been said. It would likely have to be pretty bad for a dismissal.

An educational punishment though, really?

It’s not rocket science to watch what you send to people especially work colleagues. There’s more than enough real world examples to show why. Many companies have a policy on such things which is why certain websites and social media aren’t allowed at work and it is usually in the employee’s contract . If your friend broke such rules, and it leads to dismissal, it wouldn’t be unfair.

It doesn't seem unfair to me either. Why would anyone post a video to a work group that they hadn't watched in full? Just stupid behaviour really

@Florencex

Sorry, I meant the OP is backtracking, not you, and quoted you in error.

OP, we can’t be expected to comment or take sides on a second hand report if a case in which we can’t see the evidence.

You said the complainant has raised complaints against a few employees which suggests that there is a culture of at least being complacent about racist content. A black employee should not be expected to come into an environment where people several times post dodgy stuff because they haven’t bothered to check it or think about it.

The process will be what it is.

Your friend needs to be open and honest and present evidence of the apology.

Continued defence if a case we have scant details of and ‘is it fair’ is starting to sound like an agenda. The sort of ‘PC gorn mad, you can’t say anything these days’.

It sounds to me as if the company need a much clearer diversity and anti racist policy, and to get a grip on SM. People circulate such crap.

It’s absolutely nothing to do with you. You have no idea if it’s unfair or not. A complaint has been made which is being investigated as it should.

A disciplinary doesn't necessarily mean dismissal. Depending on the circumstances they may just get a verbal warning which will stay on their file for a period of time (say 6 months).

unintentionally racist in a work social media group...

Yes it should be investigated. Maybe the BLM gave the person confidence to finally make a formal complaint.

That's not true and not fair either, I've said a few times they have a right to raise the wider issue.

But that's so mealy mouthed, and you haven't said a few times they have a right to raise it. You still don't acknowledge how upsetting it must have been for someone to see something you acknowledge was racist.

@BanningTheWordNaice

What I find interesting is that you’ve framed it as though the person complaining is only reporting it following the BLM movement as though they’re jumping on a bandwagon. They’re probably only reporting it now because this is the first time they’ve felt safe to do so.

Well said!

And the gem that was 'the accuser didn't even acknowledge the apology'

bang on DidoAtTheLido. The is it fair will he lose his job, his house etc, all the while not telling us anything much at all.

But by saying it's not unfair, would you say the person deserves to lose their job?

that is up to HR but disciplinary action is completely approbriate. I think with some things, people deserve a second chance but posting 'something unintentionally racist'? what is that even? If you post stuff and it has a racist content, then this is intentionally. nothing else.

I can only assume you are white and have never been on the receiving end of shitty treatment because of your whiteness. Your understanding of racial discrimination seems to be completely lacking as you show in the thread. You are clearly far more concerned about the accused rather than the racism in your workplace.

This won't be identifying to outsiders, but will be to the people involved if they see it. or have it pointed out to them. I wonder if the point of this post is so the accused can complained that people were influenced because they may have seem you post - so it's "unfair." It would be very difficult for management to prove that they didn't look on Mumsnet ever!
Oh fgs, whatever next? Someone in court saying they can't possibly get a fair trial because some of the jurors might have read about the crime on MN? 😂😂😂
I think you have a very vivid imagination if you really think the OP has posted for that reason.

MNers opinions mean nowt to the HR dept of the company. I'm pretty sure they'll form their own opinions and have policies on such matters.