probation officer who stop his job after being subjected to monkey chants and racial abuse has received a payout.
Lloyd Odain stated he felt “ignored and isolated” as a result of a criticism he made to his bosses alleging racial discrimination within the wake of incidents at HM Prison and Probation Service (HMPPS) places of work in Reading, Berkshire, in 2019 was “swept under the carpet”.
According to the Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC), Mr Odain was working for a contractor utilized by the service on the time and was “subjected to multiple incidents of racial discrimination and harassment by another contractor”.
These included the individual making “making monkey chants” in direction of Mr Odain whereas he was speaking to colleagues.
He reported the racist behaviour to probation service managers however, following a “flawed investigation”, the offender was allowed to return to work in the identical workplace, leaving Mr Odain with “no choice but to leave the job he enjoyed”, the physique that supported his authorized case stated.
More than three years since his preliminary criticism, Mr Odain has obtained compensation after the probation service settled the case in June earlier than a remaining listening to, following preliminary proceedings held at Reading Employment Tribunal in October which, in keeping with the EHRC, “found it may be liable for the racist behaviour of the contractor towards Mr Odain”.
I really feel grossly let down by the jail and probation service. I labored within the Reading workplace for a few years in numerous roles and took satisfaction in my job serving to individuals who had been struggling to discover a path in life
But the settlement, the worth of which has not been disclosed, doesn't embrace an admission of legal responsibility or a dedication from HMPPS to assessment its coverage round how contractors are handled.
The EHRC stated the monkey chants weren't disputed by the probation service within the authorized case, which as a substitute centered on the legal responsibility of organisations to guard employees employed via third events from harassment from different employees additionally employed via third events.
British-born Mr Odain, who's of Caribbean heritage, instructed the PA news company he was shocked when no-one challenged the incidents and felt just like the matter was “swept under the carpet” when he lodged a grievance, along with his considerations not taken severely or handled promptly.
He stated: “There was no acknowledgement whatsoever of a wrongdoing, I felt a lot of it was based on discrimination.
“For me it was not about retribution. I just felt let down, there’s no restoration.
“I just felt so disappointed (by the way it was handled). I felt I couldn’t tolerate it.”
Mr Odain, who's in his 50s and lives in London, stated he had labored for the probation service in numerous roles during the last 10 years and even studied for a criminology diploma to additional concentrate on his job.
He says he has not labored on this area since resigning from his submit as a probation providers officer (PSO) managing circumstances and supervising offenders in mild of the ordeal.
Citing issues with tradition within the probation service, he referred to as for change and stated insurance policies which might be already in place needs to be correctly used to guard contract employees from racism within the office.
In a press release issued on his behalf by the EHRC, Mr Odain added: “I feel grossly let down by the prison and probation service. I worked in the Reading office for many years in different roles and took pride in my job helping people who were struggling to find a path in life.
“After being subjected to monkey chants and other racist behaviour, I followed the correct processes in making a complaint.
“I felt ignored and isolated as nothing appeared to be done.
“I then found out that the person who had behaved so appallingly was back working in the building.
“The thought of dealing with more racism, and having no support, left me with no option but to give up the job I enjoyed and was good at.
“I have spent more than three years fighting for change so that others shouldn’t face what I faced.
“I hope that, by exposing the horrendous treatment I suffered, HMPPS learn lessons from this case.
“I am grateful to the Equality and Human Rights Commission and to my solicitors for their support. I couldn’t have continued fighting for so long without their help.”
EHRC chairwoman Kishwer Falkner stated: “Everyone going to work should expect to feel safe from harm and no-one should suffer the shocking racism experienced by Mr Odain.
“Employers, third-party contractors and workers all benefit if any awful incidents like this are addressed quickly and appropriately by management.
“It is disappointing that, in this case, HM Prison and Probation Service chose to defend themselves on the basis of legal technicalities rather than to commit positively to protect and support their own staff.
“Racism is never acceptable.”
The Ministry of Justice (MoJ) has been contacted for remark.
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