Black Council Worker Awarded £15,000 After Racial Abuse and Dismissive Management
An employment tribunal found West Berkshire Council failed to adequately address serious racial abuse directed at an intervention worker.
A Black council worker who experienced severe racial abuse and faced dismissive management after reporting the incidents has been awarded £15,000. The woman, who worked as an intervention worker in West Berkshire Council's Youth Justice Support Team, was subjected to the abuse by two boys in April 2024.
An employment tribunal heard that the woman's managers appeared to suggest that "absorbing that kind of abuse simply 'went with the territory'". The worker joined the council in July 2023 and resigned in June 2024.
When she complained about the racial abuse, managers reportedly focused on her response, during which she referred to them as "little boys." The tribunal determined that the woman had endured "severe provocation" and that the council had "failed to recognise the seriousness and unpleasantness of the [boys'] racial abuse."
David McMullen, a senior organiser for the GMB union who assisted the woman, stated that she was "treated horrendously in the first instance and this was further compounded by management at West Berkshire Council." He emphasized that "racism has no place in society at all and certainly workers should not have to face this treatment when at work – in fact it is the job of employers to protect against such abuse."
A spokesperson for West Berkshire Council commented that the council "respects the findings of the tribunal and will reflect carefully on the points raised." The spokesperson added, "The safety and wellbeing of our staff is extremely important to us. We do not accept abuse, discrimination or harassment directed towards our employees and we are committed to supporting colleagues when incidents occur."