RACIAL HARASSMENT CLAIMS

The term racial harassment describes racially motivated aggression. The legal definition can be found in the Race Relations Act 1976 which refers to hostile or offensive behaviour which is at least partially motivated by racial factors.

Actions of racial harassment include; physical attacks, insults, racist jokes and name-calling, bullying, racist graffiti and verbal threats and abuse.

Incidences of this type of behaviour within the workplace can include any or all of the above elements. It is illegal for a person to be singled out because of race, colour, citizenship, or ethnic origin. Perpetrators and employers can be prosecuted for not taking action to prevent this behaviour.

People from minority ethnic groups are the most common targets and English law offers protection to all people of all races.

Occasionally, cases have been brought where the victim was from the same ethnic group as the persecutor. The cases were viable because the perpetrator believed the victim to be of a different group. The victim’s actual race became secondary to the motivation factor and the case was classified as racial harassment.

We are able to offer a wide range of employment law advice including :-

• unfair dismissal
• constructive dismissal
• redundancy
• racial discrimination
• sex discrimination
• racial harassment
• sexual harassment
• disability discrimination
• workplace bullying law
• compromise agreements
• age discrimination
• victimisation
• equal opportunities
• discrimination through pregnancy
• transfer of undertakings
• working time regulations
• commercial agents
• religious discrimination
• discrimination on the grounds of sexual orientation

If you believe you have a claim, it is important to get advice from a solicitor specialising in the field of employment law. The specialist knowledge of an employment law solicitor is vital in pursuing a claim to the best conclusion. If you would like advice just telephone us for free initial advice.