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Original poster

Racism at Work

8 replies

ShaunaM · 24/09/2023 15:06

I’m after some advice. I have run out of ideas and I’m infuriated by the situation. I am involved in an ongoing investigation with a collage for bullying and harassment of which I have raised. Last week while on my day off she was witnessed to openly discuss this case with two manages and another colleague in the office infornt of others. I’m also Irish working and living for 20 years in England.

another colleague raised concerns to me that the group of 4 were trying to copy my Irish accent, making fun of me and suggesting along the lines of “I go back to where I came from”, “go back to my caravan” and “sell the dogs and horses” type comments. This was raised to work who quickly tired to brush it under the carpet however I have raised a racist complaint. Fast forward a few days work and senior managers and HR have decided that it’s not racism. The other party who is bullying me in the first place is from an African background.

have I got grounds to say if this was the other way round it would automatically be racist and taken more seriously but because I’m white and Irish they don’t care.

im really lost as to what to do. The Union are involved but fairly useless at the moment.

OP posts:
BethDuttonsTwin · 24/09/2023 15:10

Well you're not wrong but I suspect you'll get a load of responses detailing the NEW, academic definition of racism, the convenient one where white people cannot experience racism because it's actually all about power and systemic benefits of being white blah blah blahdy blah!

Most people know this is BS but to say so is in itself racism - according to above mentioned NEW definition.

I'd like to think I would push back hard, in the way you've described and I think you should but that's easy for me to say...

Original poster
ShaunaM · 24/09/2023 15:13

@BethDuttonsTwin Thank you I wasn’t aware there was a NEW definition I’m going to search this now. Thank you x

OP posts:
Hollyhocksarenotmessy · 25/09/2023 12:31

Interesting. So they are bullying you as though you were an Irish traveller (a group recognised as an ethnic minority that is discriminated against) even though you aren't?

There's an ER case (I can't remember the details) where a man was bullied as though he was gay, even though he wasn't. He won.

Make sure your union does some thorough research in case law.

prh47bridge · 25/09/2023 16:47

The legal definition of racial discrimination has not changed. Your HR and senior management are wrong. Under the Equality Act, the protected characteristic of race includes colour, nationality and ethnic or natural origins.

one262 · 25/09/2023 18:37

ShaunaM · 24/09/2023 15:13

@BethDuttonsTwin Thank you I wasn’t aware there was a NEW definition I’m going to search this now. Thank you x

There's not.

Original poster
ShaunaM · 25/09/2023 21:18

Thank you I was unable to find the false NEW terms which I did begin to think hadn't changed. HR are being pretty useless and work are very good at brushing things under the carpet so to speak. Yes so bullying as if I was but I am not because of my Irish background. I am still equally offended as my friends are travellers so I am infuriated regardless if I was or not.

Interesting to see a person was bullied as if he was gay and won. I am thinking of just going straight to the governing body of work or to the CEO and being like do you know this is happening...

OP posts:
Lighttheway · 19/10/2025 21:06

ShaunaM · 24/09/2023 15:06

I’m after some advice. I have run out of ideas and I’m infuriated by the situation. I am involved in an ongoing investigation with a collage for bullying and harassment of which I have raised. Last week while on my day off she was witnessed to openly discuss this case with two manages and another colleague in the office infornt of others. I’m also Irish working and living for 20 years in England.

another colleague raised concerns to me that the group of 4 were trying to copy my Irish accent, making fun of me and suggesting along the lines of “I go back to where I came from”, “go back to my caravan” and “sell the dogs and horses” type comments. This was raised to work who quickly tired to brush it under the carpet however I have raised a racist complaint. Fast forward a few days work and senior managers and HR have decided that it’s not racism. The other party who is bullying me in the first place is from an African background.

have I got grounds to say if this was the other way round it would automatically be racist and taken more seriously but because I’m white and Irish they don’t care.

im really lost as to what to do. The Union are involved but fairly useless at the moment.

Call the cops, get them arrested or scared theyll get arrested. It is your right. They have no pity for you being racist and causing you so much emotional pain, have no pity for these evil people.

Harassedevictee · 19/10/2025 22:59

You should have a right of appeal. Talk to ACAS first but ideally exhaust the internal process first then follow the ACAS process to take it external.

Whilst you are doing this continue to keep a log of all incidents and any witnesses.

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