Latest news with #racial discrimination
BBC News
22-07-2025
- Politics
- BBC News
Leicester City Council race discrimination case appeal dismissed
Leicester City Council has lost a second court appeal after an employment tribunal found it racially discriminated against an 2023, a tribunal panel found "race played a part" in decisions made by a senior member of staff in relation to social worker Bindu council appealed to the Employment Appeal Tribunal, but that was dismissed in Tuesday, three Court of Appeal judges dismissed the council's second appeal. Mrs Parmar, a British national of Indian origin, claimed she was discriminated against after she was made the subject of a disciplinary investigation in January was accused of not acting in line with leadership standards, but the employment tribunal heard in 2023 there was "nothing of substance" to start an also found there was "no other credible explanation" for how Mrs Parmar was treated. The council appealed the original decision on 11 grounds, arguing the panel used insufficient grounds to shift the burden of proof on to the authority during the tribunal and failed to show adequate reasoning for its conclusionBut all 11 grounds were its arguments to the Court of Appeal, the authority argued again that the burden of proof shifting to the organisation from Mrs Parmar was wrong and that errors were made in the initial tribunal and first four grounds of its latest appeal were Parmar, who said she left her role at the city council in 2022 after 33 years, told the BBC while she felt "vindicated" once again by the Court of Appeal ruling, she was "frustrated" by the council's decision to appeal in the first place. 'It's embarrassing' She said: "I'm disappointed that the council has chosen to waste tax payers money by fighting my case again and again."What's frustrating is that most organisations would or should just accept it, apologise, make the necessary changes and move on, but they're fighting tooth and nail for something they don't need to fight."It's embarrassing."She added that she believed the council was "sending a message" to others who might be concerned about their treatment in the workplace by appealing the McAnea, general secretary of the union Unison - which has been supporting Mrs Parmar, called the council's decision to appeal "appalling".She said: "Local authorities should never be allowed to waste public money like this."A council spokesman said: "We have recently received the judgement and are carefully reviewing it, before considering whether or not to appeal."Mrs Parmar said she was also bringing an unfair dismissal claim against the city council, with a hearing due to take place this year.
Telegraph
21-07-2025
- Telegraph
Waitrose workers sacked over ‘unauthorised holiday' sued for race discrimination
Two Waitrose employees attempted to sue the supermarket after they were fired for going on an unauthorised trip abroad. Peter Hedger and Katerina Dimitrova claimed they were victims of racial discrimination because of their 'tanned skin', according to MailOnline. The couple went on holiday to Bulgaria, Ms Dimitrova's home country, before extending their stay without their employer's permission. They are believed to have spent up to two months in Bulgaria while telling bosses they were house hunting in the UK. At no point did they mention that they were abroad. When the couple returned to work, managers reportedly found their extended absence suspicious because of their 'tanned appearance'. Unauthorised absence John Lewis, which owns the supermarket chain, dismissed the couple for gross misconduct, citing unauthorised absence as their reason for doing so. 'The [couple] put in a leave request for Sept 2 2023, which was refused,' a virtual employment tribunal held in Birmingham was told. 'They then made a contact with their branch on a number of occasions between Sept 9 2023 and Oct 28 2023. 'On none of these occasions did they mention that they were abroad and it was only after they returned to the UK that they disclosed that they had travelled to Bulgaria towards the end of August 2023.' The couple submitted a claim based on Ms Dimitrova's nationality, which was struck out as it had 'no reasonable prospects of success', according to Naeema Choudry, the employment judge on the case. The judge went on to state that she was 'satisfied that the allegation relating to 'tanned skin' had no reasonable prospects of success' and struck that claim out as well. Ms Dimitrova's other claim, relating to the right to be accompanied at a disciplinary meeting, has yet to be heard by a tribunal, and is reported to be scheduled for a later date.
The Sun
21-07-2025
- Business
- The Sun
Couple sue supermarket for race discrimination after being sacked for coming back from unauthorised holiday with a tan
A COUPLE have sued Waitrose after being sacked for returning from an unauthorised holiday with a tan. Peter Hedger and Katerina Dimitrova claim that they have been victims of racial discrimination by the store because of their 'tanned skin'. 3 The couple say they were fired from the supermarket after they returned home from a holiday to Bulgaria. A tribunal found that the pair had extended their stay in Bulgaria, Katerina's home country. However, Katerina and Peter have alleged that they were singled out after returning home with 'tanned skin'. A tribunal, held in Birmingham, heard that the couple did not tell Waitrose that they were abroad. The tribunal heard: "The [couple] put in a leave request for 2 September 2023 which was refused. "They, then, made a contact with their branch on a number of occasions between 9 September 2023 and 28 October 2023. "On none of these occasions did they mention that they were abroad and it was only after they returned to the UK that they disclosed that they had travelled to Bulgaria towards the end of August 2023.' The tribunal was also told that John Lewis, Waitrose's owner, said Katerina and Peter had been dismissed for gross misconduct in the form of unauthorised absence. The department store said that an appeal officer concluded that the pair had not been 'open and honest with their branch about the reasons for absence' or even that they were going to Bulgaria. A letter on the outcome of their appeal claimed: "I suspect you went to Bulgaria during your authorised leave and decided to stay longer." Shopper reveals the 'best time' to hit Waitrose for yellow sticker bargains, as she bags strawberries and milk for 69p Peter told the tribunal that the situation had come about because the pair had nowhere to live and that the couple now were struggling to find somewhere to live. Employment Judge Naeema Choudry said that the Katerina and Peter's claims about their 'tanned skin' had no bearing on their dismissal. Ms Naeema Choudry said: "The reason for dismissal was not due to the [couple] being in Bulgaria but because they were believed to be absent from work for no good reason and not to be house-hunting in the UK because they were abroad at the relevant time, having stayed abroad after a period of authorised annual leave. "As such, a claim based on Ms Dimitrova's Bulgarian nationality has no reasonable prospects of success and is struck out. "I am also satisfied that the allegation relating to 'tanned skin' has no reasonable prospects of success and should be struck out. "It is clear that the [couple] were dismissed because they were perceived to be on holiday when they were supposed to be at work and not because they had tanned skin." Both of their claims for unfair dismissal have also been struck out. John Lewis have declined to comment on the situation, saying they "can't comment on individual cases".
CBS News
16-07-2025
- CBS News
Hispanic officers allege discrimination within Miami Gardens Police Department
Five Miami Gardens police officers have filed a notice of intent to sue the city, alleging racial discrimination and emotional trauma. The officers — all Hispanic — claim they've been unfairly targeted within their department, subjected to demotions, transfers, and disciplinary actions without cause. At a press conference Wednesday, four of the five officers appeared alongside their attorney to share their experiences and outline what they say are ongoing violations of the Law Enforcement Officers' Bill of Rights. They allege the discrimination has been happening for at least three years. "We've been subjects of transfers, demotions, some of us relieved of duty — myself, without no cause," said Sgt. Pedro Valdes, who was placed on leave with pay. He described the ordeal as demoralizing. Officer Francisco Mejido said he was removed from the department's K-9 unit in January over what he was told was a minor body camera violation. "I've brought up a lot of issues we had internally with different command staff members," Mejido said. "Every time I did, it would kind of fall on deaf ears." Officer Juan Gonzalez said he was intimidated by a supervisor after being scolded for speaking with other Hispanic officers at a scene. "I asked to speak freely, and when I didn't agree, I walked out," Gonzalez said. "I was followed by my supervisor in a threatening manner. He never punched me; he never touched me — but it was intimidating." The officers involved include Valdes, Mejido, Gonzalez, Rudy Hernandez, and Christian Vega — Vega did not attend the press conference. All five remain employed with the Miami Gardens Police Department. None of the officers' claims have been substantiated by the department. However, their attorney, Mike Pizzi, said they plan to file a federal lawsuit and are requesting intervention from the federal government. "It's a sad day in the United States of America when police officers are getting post-traumatic stress disorder not from criminals or life-threatening situations, but from their own police chief and administration," Pizzi said. In a statement, the City of Miami Gardens said:"The City of Miami Gardens is aware there is a pending lawsuit to be filed by a group of police officers. As a matter of policy, the City does not comment on pending litigation. The City remains committed to transparency and will respond accordingly within the legal process." CBS News Miami has filed a public records request to learn more about the allegations and each officer's employment history and conduct.
