Betty Knight's Linkedin Analytics

When I eventually decided to take legal action against my previous employer (HSDC College- Alton Campus), the first two employment solicitors I sought advice from, both had the same thing to say to me: It is going to be expensive, and it is going to be hard to prove that HSDC’s actions against you were discriminatory. I was told that winning a discrimination claim at an Employment Tribunal is rare and that winning a race discrimination claim is an even harder feat to achieve. Everyone, including workplace bullies, harassers and racists, wants an employer who can provide them with a safe workplace; a workplace free of prejudice where everyone has the opportunity to thrive, to be happy and to be healthy mentally and physically. Unfortunately, current statistics show that 1 out of every 4 employees in the UK experience bullying at work. Sadly, many employees don’t even know their employment rights and many employers are not aware of their legal duty of care. Some of us, unfortunately, seem to attract workplace bullies and discriminators because of the following; race, nationality/non-native accents, gender, disability, a mental health diagnosis, being neurodivergent, being a whistle-blower and having supported a colleague’s discrimination claim. You might find yourself being subjected to the following; • Unfair criticism • Unfairly held back from promotion and training opportunities • Being spoken to aggressively, condescendingly, or in a patronising tone including using unprofessional and inappropriate language • Marginalised and often subjected to unfair/unjustified performance reviews • The spreading of unfounded rumours or lies • Being regularly undermined or belittled • Your complaints being ignored or if you are black, being accused of playing the race card If you have been at the receiving end of any of the above unsavoury behaviours and you have tried to raise the matter with your employer – to no avail, please follow and connect with me for support and advice. If you do decide to take your employer to the Employment Tribunal, I have direct access to two very experienced and empathetic employment lawyers, Elaine Blanton and Lawrence Davies, who would offer legal representation at the final hearing.