Anyone remember my racism issue?

[Madamecastafiore]

It I feel still hasn't been resolved satisfactorily. In fact it is being ignored basically because the woman 'didn't mean to cause offense'. Her defence was that the word she used is ok as it is a short form of a country, she uses it to friends from that country (who apparently call her whitey!!). I actually have a copy of her email detailing this. But she also ranted about Muslims and said things like 'don't want to smell like a (insert racist term which no one I know has used since the early 80s when people were educated about racism)

It's rather a long story but it has all been turned around and I feel I am being made a scapegoat. I have received a copy of the investigation and it exonerates her but says I am in trouble for breech of confidentiality. The one breech that is actually true - which I admitted to and was basically me checking a fact on our HR system and relaying it to the person in question sitting next to me - it was me being stupid basically and not realising this person would take offence (which was stupid of me as she IMO has a personality disorder and randomly takes offence at the slightest thing). Anyway she is saying I have looked up other things, things that I am not even sure can be looked at on the system and that I have looked up the medical records of children I know. I know no children who actually would have records within our specialised part of the healthcare system.

My boss has also done a number on me. She is saying that I am just as offensive, saying I wouldn't shop in Asda, saying that I have said I don't have to work (I don't, I choose to though) and saying that I requested she not divulge the fact that I was pregnant to the racist lady or the unbalanced lady and this put her in a difficult position. She also is saying that I tried to make out we were better friends than we were??????? Not sure where she got this from, I only socialised twice with her outside work, both time with unbalanced lady and the only time we have been alone together she met me for lunch and then dragged me round debenhams as she wanted to buy same make up as me ( I found it all pretty odd and uncomfortable).

Now I do not shop in Asda, I prefer to buy ethically sourced food from farm shops or supermarkets that treat their customers, staff and suppliers better than Walmart or Tesco. I do not have to work, it's a fact and was never said in a braggy way and I can't understand how me not having to work would offend anyone. As for her not divulging my pregnancy - I told her when I was 8 weeks pregnant and didn't want anyone to know as with past pregnancies have had horrendously high nuchal fold results and was going to have the tests at fmc in London before even telling family - now I thought it was good manners to tell my boss as was feeling sick constantly and would have to have time off to go and have the tests. Unbalanced lady also used to live in the same small village as me and I know from personal details she has told me abut people in the village that my news would not have stayed private.

There is more to the story but I don't want to bore you all.

Anyway, I have been called to a meeting to go over the outcome of the investigation and I really do not know what to do, this is really stressful for me and my answers to all of the allegations I feel have been completely ignored.

So I want to resign, I can't countenance going back into such an environment but am on maternity leave, should I wait till end of maternity leave to do so. I you'd rather never have contact with anyone or go to this meeting to be completely honest as I really do feel as I expected that the racism would be brushed under the carpet totally.

[ginmakesitallok]

Just wanted to butt in and remind folk that not all NHS managers are corrupt and bullying. In my workplace your complaint would have been taken very seriously. Appeal the outcome of your complaint.

[Madamecastafiore]

I would have posted that very same point gin before this happened. I thought racism was illegal and abhorrent to everyone these days and nothing have me any sign as to where one tiny comment could escalate!

You would have thought that had someone sent their manager in any industry an email explaining why they think using the word Paki is ok they would be immediately disciplined!

[Madamecastafiore]

ok - this is the reason they are letting her get away with the racially offensive language:

'In some instances offensive behaviour may not be intentional and an individual may be unaware that they are causing offence. It is an individuals perception that is important in determining what is considered to be unwanted or unacceptable behaviour. A claim of bullying may not however succeed should an individual take an unreasonable, or overly sensitive reaction to an innocent remark or action.'

Although the policy also states that Examples of inappropriate behaviour include: Expressing or acting on stereotypical assumptions - would saying 'Doesn't want to smell like a P' be covered that one?

Thing is she is lying about this saying that her husband said 'I don;t want that P food' as he is a meat and 2 veg man!

[kentishgirl]

Maybe phone ACAS for some advice?

Thank you for challenging this though. I'm feeling swamped by racism at the moment and it's depressing so many people find it normal.