Research by employment law firm Peninsula shows office discrimination has increased in the last five years. Nearly nine out of 10 employees have overheard office conversations containing racial comments and discriminatory remarks towards fellow colleagues - almost double that in 2003 (Onrec).

 
Managing director of Peninsula Peter Done has said:  "Employers have a liability for all the actions and comments of staff made in the office. The employer needs to make it clear to staff that they will not tolerate any form of racial slur or offensive banter. Comments made between employees, intended to be comical may be upsetting to others and this situation needs to be considered."


The survey also found:

• 84 percent of employees have overheard racial comments and discriminatory remarks towards fellow workers. [46 percent in 2003]

• 28 percent of employees have overheard ethnic slur, relating to an individual’s ethnic background. [16 percent in 2003]

• 15 percent of employees have overheard age related ridicule. [seven percent in 2003]

• 18 percent of workers overheard jabs aimed at sexual orientation. [11 percent in 2003]

• 23 percent of workers overheard ridicule and jokes based on nationality (for example Irishman, Englishman and Scotsman jokes). [12 percent in 2003]

• 74 percent of workers admit to harmlessly making sexual or discriminatory remarks against minorities. [69 percent in 2003]


According to Mr Done: "To minimise liability employers will need to be able to show they have taken reasonably practicable steps to prevent breaches of legislation. If a complaint is made and the employer has not carried out the necessary steps to avoid these situations then they could find themselves heading into a litigation battle. This increase only confirms the failure of legislation to influence behaviour, however educating people not to discriminate may be the way forward."

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