Meursault
02-04-2006, 08:29 AM
A black equal opportunities officer who was given too small a desk was the subject of racial discrimination, a tribunal ruled yesterday.
Richard Smith, 6ft 4in tall, was hunched up at his computer for a year and was eventually taken to hospital complaining of chest pains.
His employers, Labour-controlled Doncaster borough council, ignored his requests for a bigger desk.
The Sheffield tribunal unanimously concluded that he had been victimised because he had brought earlier proceedings against the council and that he had suffered constructive dismissal. A further hearing will rule on compensation, which could be up to £70,000.
Mr Smith, 35, a former joiner, moved to his desk job after receiving a substantial out-of-court settlement in August 2003 over his previous claim for discrimination. After working for the council for 14 years, he left because of subsequent treatment.
Mr Smith, a father of three from Conisbrough, near Doncaster, said he had been branded a troublemaker for bringing the first case.
After the hearing, he said: "White employees were given work assessments and had their work stations adapted but not me." The council apologised to him.http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/main.jhtml?xml=/news/2006/02/03/ndesk03.xml&sSheet=/news/2006/02/03/ixhome.html
What will those evil racists think of next?:rolleyes:
Richard Smith, 6ft 4in tall, was hunched up at his computer for a year and was eventually taken to hospital complaining of chest pains.
His employers, Labour-controlled Doncaster borough council, ignored his requests for a bigger desk.
The Sheffield tribunal unanimously concluded that he had been victimised because he had brought earlier proceedings against the council and that he had suffered constructive dismissal. A further hearing will rule on compensation, which could be up to £70,000.
Mr Smith, 35, a former joiner, moved to his desk job after receiving a substantial out-of-court settlement in August 2003 over his previous claim for discrimination. After working for the council for 14 years, he left because of subsequent treatment.
Mr Smith, a father of three from Conisbrough, near Doncaster, said he had been branded a troublemaker for bringing the first case.
After the hearing, he said: "White employees were given work assessments and had their work stations adapted but not me." The council apologised to him.http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/main.jhtml?xml=/news/2006/02/03/ndesk03.xml&sSheet=/news/2006/02/03/ixhome.html
What will those evil racists think of next?:rolleyes: