I have worked in a library for nearly 12 years. On the whole, I love my job, and the vast majority of my colleagues are lovely.
In the past few years we have had library closures in our area, and managers have brought in a lot of volunteers to work alongside substantive staff. Again, the majority are ok, but some have been very problematic, for example, two were let go for theft and sexual harassment. (Substantive staff are DBS checked, but volunteers are not - the staff on the ground think that this is a safeguarding disaster waiting to happen). There have also been problems with volunteers acting like they own the libraries, and even saying we shouldn't have jobs, because we're not needed as they do the job better!
There is one guy who I had given a wide berth to - he can bore for England, typical mansplainer, retired and in his 60s, I just don't get on with him at all. Recently though, I have been working alongside him quite often.
A couple of weeks ago, I overheard him talking loudly to another volunteer about Covid (he's an anti vaxxer) and then proceeded to make some absolutely vile racist comments. I was really shocked but also angry, and I challenged him about what he said, telling him how offensive I found his remarks. He blustered and said that he was entitled to his opinion, at which point I said that I considered what he had said to be hate speech. He then made a huge show about storming out and saying he'd never set foot in our library again. To be honest, all of the staff were overjoyed at this, as no one likes him, and we were relieved at the thought of not having to deal with him again.
He didn't appear for a couple of weeks, but last week he was in again, swanning round like he owns the place, and pointedly blanking me. Another member of staff told me he'd been overheard saying what a stupid bitch I was.
When the initial incident happened I reported it as an incident of hate speech, and it seemed management were taking it seriously. But now they are saying that if he wants to volunteer he should be able to.
I'm white, and he said that I should be agreeing with him! Apart from the fact that I find his racism abhorrent, my brother in law and son in law are black, and the thought that someone like this man is basically getting away with this behaviour sickens me.
Management unfortunately have a habit of treating volunteers like the second coming. It's as if they can do no wrong, and have to be accommodated no matter what.
My point is that I feel very strongly that I should not have to work with a racist. I am in a union and intend to ask them for advice, but does anyone have any suggestions as to how to deal with this going forward? I dread going in to work on the days he is there.