'Not racist' to compare prejudice faced by black people to being ginger

COMPARING the prejudice faced by black people to being bullied for having ginger hair is not racist, an employment tribunal ruled.

- Mark Reynolds

Sharing experiences of persecution is a gesture of empathy meant to build bridges with a colleague - and while the comparison might be "unhelpful" and is related to race it is not a breach of equality laws, the panel found.

Alex Ujah, a black Jobcentre worker, sued for racism after his manager Robert Rance told him that he too had experienced bullying due to his hair colour. He accused Mr Rance of an "orchestrated succession of racist microaggressions", adding he could not believe he was trying to liken his experience to "400 years of denigration and slavery".

His case was dismissed after the tribunal decided Mr Rance was trying to be his "ally".

The Southampton hearing was told Mr Ujah began his admin role in Basingstoke, Hants, in August 2020 but early on the pair had a clash of personalities.