| p>Over recent months the British Police Force | | | | alleged victim, feels that racism has occurred a |
| has found itself dealing with a number of claims | | | | case can be brought to a tribunal to ascertain the |
| for compensation due to discrimination in the | | | | facts. |
| workplace on grounds of race and ethnicity. One | | | | Racism in the workplace occurs across all sectors |
| Police officer has submitted a claim for | | | | and industries and poses very difficult situations |
| £500,000 pounds because he believes he | | | | for both employees and employers. Tribunals are |
| was discriminated against and denied a promotion | | | | the place where the cases get settled, but cases |
| unfairly. | | | | for race discrimination can take months to reach |
| The claim is being made against the Metropolitan | | | | this point. Before a case goes to tribunal there |
| Police Commissioner, Sir Ian Blair, who has been | | | | has to be evidence that the situation has been |
| accused of sidelining, Asian and black detectives. | | | | tried to be resolved within the company first. |
| There is no limit on the amount of compensation | | | | Employees need to show they have exhausted |
| which can be in claimed in a race discrimination | | | | the internal company policies which are typically |
| case which typically results in demands for high | | | | done through raising a grievance or going through |
| payouts. However there does need to be | | | | an appeal process. If the employee is not happy |
| compelling evidence that the discrimination has | | | | with the outcome and they have reached the end |
| occurred in order for a case to be successful. | | | | of the line in regards to company policies, then |
| Unfortunately this Officer's claim for compensation | | | | they are able to take their case to the tribunal. |
| is not the only one to have been raised. Another | | | | Employment law works differently to criminal law |
| Police employee has also submitted a claim for | | | | by the nature in which the verdict is determined. |
| racial discrimination at the hands of Sir Ian Blair. | | | | In a criminal court the evidence provided has to |
| The claims have come as a bit of a shock, as | | | | prove beyond reasonable doubt that a crime has |
| many people believe that the Metropolitan police | | | | or has not been committed. In employment law |
| Commissioner got the job because of his stance | | | | the evidence is weighed up according to the |
| on promoting diversity not for being against it. Sir | | | | balance of probabilities. If there is a 51 percent |
| Ian Blair strongly denies the claims and many | | | | chance that an event occurred than the ruling will |
| others are supporting him. However everybody | | | | come down in favour of that event. Claims for |
| who feels they have been the victim of racist in | | | | race discrimination are treated in this manner and |
| the workplace has the right to have their case | | | | it will be up to both the employee and the |
| heard. It may be that that the racism was not | | | | employer to prove what happened before |
| intentional but that does not matter in the eyes | | | | outcomes of the case can be decided. |
| of the law. If someone, and not necessarily the | | | | |