Legal Updates

English worker wins compensation after racism claim

Date:  12 Aug 2008

A Dublin-based English pipe fitter has received £15,630 in compensation after being racially abused work, according to reports.

The man, whose identity has not been revealed, complained after being taunted by colleagues over his British nationality.

He explained to an employment tribunal how the abuse forced him to eat lunch alone in his car rather than in the staff canteen, while he also alleged that his supervisor adopted an intimidating manner towards him.

Ruling in his favour, the equality tribunal agreed that the man had been racially harassed, although it determined that his redundancy two months after commencing work was not related to his nationality.

The man had claimed that a less experienced Irish worker kept his job when he was asked to leave.

His employer, who denied all accusations relating to discrimination, said the redundancy was made according to length of completed service.

Lynne Burns is an employment law specialist working at Vizards Tweedie and dealing with all aspects of employment law

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