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Woman racially abused while working for West Berkshire Council awarded £15k
Overview
A former intervention worker for West Berkshire Council's Youth Justice Support Team has been awarded £15,000 by an employment tribunal after suffering serious racial abuse from two boys in April 2024 and facing dismissive management responses when she complained.
Key points
- A black council worker was subjected to serious racial abuse by two boys while working as an intervention worker for West Berkshire Council in April 2024.
- Managers were found to have been dismissive, suggesting the abuse 'went with the territory' and focusing instead on the worker's response.
- An employment tribunal awarded the worker £15,000 after finding she suffered severe provocation and that the council failed to recognise the seriousness of the abuse.
- The worker resigned from her position in June 2024 after joining the council in July 2023.
- A West Berkshire Council spokesperson stated that the authority respects the findings of the tribunal and will reflect carefully on the points raised.