What would you do?

[Hope54321]

This might come across as a bit controversial, but here we go:

Person A is a muslim and doesn’t drink and doesn’t attend places serving alcohol. Work colleagues are aware of this. Work colleagues have arranged a Christmas dinner in a pub and expect Person A to attend, despite person A telling them over and over again about him not wanting to attend pubs.

I think Person A shouldn’t attend as he has made it very clear that he doesn’t go to pubs.

Person A also gets racist comments made about his religion and gets called a terrorist in the name of banter in the workplace, but this is another story.

I agree he shouldn't feel pressurised to attend but I don't think it was out of order to arrange the get together in a pub, assuming this is fine for the majority.

However, the racial slurs your colleague is getting are unacceptable and should be sackable offences.

I very much doubt it is another story. Why on earth would he want to spend time with cunts like that out of choice, even if he was happy to go to a pub?

Person A shouldn't be pressured into attending, I'd also mention to him he should report the racial abuse, if he's not confident to report it himself, I'd report it for him

Person A should not only not attend but leave and drag some arses through HR

The ‘Another story story’ is the most relevant but here. You should whistleblow anonymously if you don’t feel comfortable doing so openly.

Person A should be writing all of this down and getting ready to make a discrimination case against his employer.
However, in general if the majority want the pub then he doesn’t have to go. Christmas do’s are usually piss ups, especially so in the type of workplace you’ve described. I drink but on many occasions I’ve not bothered going to work parties because I didn’t fancy the venue.

If it's an official work event it should be arranged somewhere that's suitable for the whole team - such as a restaurant, rather than a pub.

I think he should report this racism to HR.

They chose a place where they knew he couldn't attend and have excluded him on the bases of his religion.

I can see a massive lawsuit on the way.

Would they be able to attend a restaurant? (Where presumably alcohol is served)

Tbh I think the restaurant/pub thing isn't the big issue. It is not easy to find place which does not serve alcohol. I can think of 1 in my city for dinner. I am sure there is more, but if someone doesn't even go to alcohol serving places, I assume they wouldn't eat outside of halal place either.
Now that is then an issue that others would and could kick up a fuss because halal doesn't fit with their believes.
Bit of a "someone will get screwed no matter what" situation.

That's awful and not inclusive but then they've probably chosen the pub as it's what the majority want. person A should not go and should report the vile racists.

the racist comments are a completely separate issue, obviously the people making them should be dealt with, I hope your colleague has sought support from HR.
The pub thing, majority rules. There are very few restaurants that don’t serve alcohol and it would be difficult to find somewhere that suited each individual preference. WRT the pub, colleague needs to suck it up I’m afraid.

Of course Person A shouldn't go to the event. Why would they want to spend time with their racist colleagues anyway?

And they should report (or be supported to report) the racism.

What sort of organisation is this? Is there an HR department? HO? Union?

There are two completely separate issues here.

How bloody sad that person A is getting grief because of their religion
I wouldn't want to go out with the work colleagues either under the circumstances

2 completely separate things and I'm not sure what you're actually asking?
Should Person A go to the party - if he wants to, yes, if he doesn't, no. Like anybody else. Presumably the party isn't compulsory?

Should they have held the party elsewhere - No, on the basis that if Person A chooses not to go anywhere that might serve alcohol that rules out pretty much any standard party venue - pubs, hotels, restaurants. Person A can of course choose whether they drink or not but doesn't have the right to enforce their beliefs on anyone else.

Should Person A have to put up with all the racist 'banter?' - obviously not.

Person A needs to be in a union. It’s unacceptable that racism and Islamophobia is tolerated in any workplace.

And the bit at the end is “another story”. I disagree , this is clearly one story with unpleasant chapters.

Person A doesn’t have a problem with not attending these events and completely understands that they can’t always cater to his beliefs. However his issue is that his colleagues expect him to attend and constantly pressurize him to attend.

Person A should report the racism or find someone to support him to do so. Racist comments should be called out on. Not doing so is passive discrimination.

Person A should speak to HR/union rep about the discrimination, bullying and harassment they are facing at work.

If they don't feel able to, did you know that under the Equality Act you can report this OP, even though you are not the target of the abuse/discrimination? I couldn't sit there and do nothing whilst this happened.

This shit is what HR is for. It needs reporting. I would hate to work with people like this.

Does make you wander if Person As reason was because he was a recovering alcoholic would they have Re thought and planned something else.

This is just bullying at its finest and should be reported and person A shouldn't go because why should they mix with their bullies especially socially outside of work!

Well then they really need to go to hr because they can't be pressured into going.
And put complaint in about the racism as well.

And if they are afraid to do so, someone else should

Does make you wander if Person As reason was because he was a recovering alcoholic would they have Re thought and planned something else.

Sadly, I doubt it. They sound like the kind of people who would either encourage him to 'just have one, it won't do any harm' or spike his drink 'for a laugh'.

Person A can choose to not attend or can attend and not drink alcohol. The other staff should respect the decision of Person A when they refuse the invitation.
Person A also needs to report any racist comments to HR.
Not sure Person A can dictate to other staff where a Christmas meal can or cannot be held.