As a member of the UK Employment Lawyers Association, and in keeping with their latest statement, this is our position with regards to our commitment to racial equality at work:

“In response to the death of George Floyd and related events in the United States and elsewhere, the UK Employment Lawyers Association (ELA) would like to affirm its unwavering commitment to racial equality.  

Many UK workers still face unfair treatment at work due to their race, colour, national or ethnic origin or their religious beliefs.  Practical, examples include:

  • greater difficulty with securing quality employment;
  • bullying and harassment;
  • exclusion from social interactions;
  • humiliation, racist remarks, ‘jokes’ and insults;
  • slower promotion and career development;
  • lower pay; and
  • racially motivated dismissal.

Some of the racial treatment that employees experience at work is extreme and quite obviously abhorrent.  However, the cumulative impact of less serious, subtle and sometimes unconscious, individual instances should not be underestimated.  Neither is acceptable.

Employment lawyers do not accept the status quo as ‘normal’ and our members continue to work at improving workplace practices and behaviour.

There are many things, small and large, that colleagues, employers, and lawyers can do to help make workplaces fairer – and parents, teachers and friends also have a role to play in creating a society where racism is not tolerated.  We would urge those who are genuinely concerned by current events to take this opportunity to identify practical things they can do to help make things better. “

Refreshing Law Limited

5 June 2020