Discrimination Casework Service

Direct discrimination - when you are treated less favourably because of your race.

Indirect discrimination - when some rules apply equally to everyone but some racial groups cannot comply and are disadvantaged as a result. 

Victimisation - when you are treated less favourably because
you have complained about racial discrimination, or supported someone else who has. 

Harassment - when you are subject to racially motivated actions and behaviour which are unwanted and cause offence and distress, including: racist jokes, banter, taunts or insults, racist literature and graffiti, and/or physical attacks on racial grounds.

If you think you have been racially discriminated against or racially harassed please contact our Casework team:

Hodan Hersi, Race Equality Officer (Casework) and 
Stephanie Blake – Discrimination Casework Officer 

You can call us on 029 2022 4097,
or
email: [email protected]. 

Or you can call into the office and make an appointment to see a caseworker.  

Our Caseworkers can:

• Provide initial advice and assistance on your complaint.
• Support you in making a complaint to an employer or service provider
• Make an application to Employment Tribunal
• Prepare a Witness Statement
• Assist and advise on negotiations
• Assist you with the completion of legal documents

We cannot:

• Be a counsellor, befriender or a lawyer
• Be a crisis or emergency worker
• Offer you financial support

From April 2008-March 2009, 158 people contacted Race Equality First for advice because they believed they had been racially discriminated against and we undertook casework for 60 of those people.  Two of these cases are outlined below.

Case 1
Client X was discriminated against at work; she was racially harassed and abused by several work colleagues including her line manager. Although Client X complained to her employers, about the treatment she received, she felt that they did not take sufficient action against the perpetrators.  Client X approached Race Equality First for assistance. An application was made to the Employment Tribunal for unlawful racial discrimination.
The case was later settled before the hearing through ACAS reconciliation. Client X was awarded £10000 for injury to feelings.

Case 2
Client Y was dismissed by his employers; he approached Race Equality First for assistance as he felt that his employers had dismissed him because of his race.  In addition his employers did not follow the correct disciplinary procedure when dismissing him.  An application was made to the Employment Tribunal for unlawful racial discrimination. The case was later settled before the hearing through ACAS reconciliation. Client Y was awarded £3000 for injury to feelings.

The casework team also assists victims of racial harassment.  Racial harassment is: verbal or physical aggression towards individuals or groups because of their colour, race, nationality or ethnic or national origin and includes attacks on property as well as people.

Racist offences ranging from harassment and abuse to physical violence are offences under the criminal law.  Inciting racial hatred is also a criminal offence.  You don’t have to be from a minority community to report racial harassment.

If you are the victim of racial harassment or witness to an incident, always report it immediately to the Police. There are specially trained police officers who can speak to you in confidence.

The Discrimination Advice Service also works with statutory and voluntary organisations and employers to ensure the enforcement of equality and human rights law.