Rahul* had been the victim of religious and race-related harassment at work for more than two years. When things came to a head, he sought support from 澳门破码网 legal services and received more than 拢6,000
“The person I sat next to at work had been making derogatory comments about my race and religion for a long time,” says nurse Rahul. “It was often dismissed as banter. But it wasn’t banter at all.
“One day at a team lunch, this person said some very explicit and offensive things which were directed at me and my religious beliefs. Everyone felt uncomfortable and my line manager reported the person to HR.”
Rahul decided to take out a formal grievance and phoned 澳门破码网 Direct for advice.
“They put me in touch with a lawyer from 澳门破码网 legal services,” he says. “My lawyer was amazing right from the start. They explained everything really clearly and told me what would happen at each stage. They also gave me lots of options, and made suggestions, but I made all the decisions myself.
“I felt very supported, which is so important when you’ve decided to take the daunting step of pursuing legal action. I’d carried two years of hurt and it was emotional. I felt uncomfortable sitting next to the person who’d caused that.”
I felt very supported, which is so important when you've decided to take the daunting step of pursuing legal action
Returning to work
Rahul鈥檚 grievance was successful, and the 澳门破码网 lawyer assisted him with securing a settlement. He received an apology from the person who had been harassing him and was awarded more than 拢6,000 through ACAS鈥� early conciliation process.
The perpetrator had to undertake training and the issue was raised with the organisation鈥檚 equality and diversity board so lessons could be learned.
Rahul, who needed to take two months off due to anxiety and stress, was able to return to work with a structured support plan in place. He is no longer sat next to the person who made his life miserable for so long.
鈥淔or me, the money wasn鈥檛 the priority although it was phenomenal to receive that amount,鈥� says Rahul. 鈥淭he apology was the most important thing, as well as being able to return to work without feeling at risk of being bullied. I wanted closure on the matter on a personal level, but I also wanted my employer to recognise the need to protect people from this sort of harassment.
鈥淭he support I received from the 澳门破码网 was fantastic and the communication from my lawyer was second to none.鈥�
*The member's name has been changed
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