text, letter: How labour law treats racism in the workplace


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How labour law treats racism in the workplace

Racism remains a controversial and sensitive topic in South Africa and such behaviour should not be tolerated in any working environment…

What the Labour Court says about racism

In the case of Crown Chickens (Pty) Ltd t/a Rocklands Poultry v Kapp and Others, Zondo JP, the Labour Appeal Court (LAC) profoundly stated: “Within the context of labour and employment disputes, this Court and the Labour Court will deal with acts of racism very firmly. This will show not only this Court’s and the Labour Court’s absolute rejection of racism but it will also show our revulsion at acts of racism in general and acts of racism in the workplace particularly.”

The Constitution of South Africa guarantees us, as South African citizens, the right to freedom of expression. It also entrenches our right to dignity. However, racism on a national scale takes place every day. More importantly, racism continues to manifest in various ways in our society, including its impact in a working environment.

What is racial discrimination in the workplace?

Racial discrimination in the workplace can be defined broadly, but a simplified definition of it would be: when people are not given the same opportunity or treatment on the basis of perceived racial differences. The difference in treatment shown is not always directly expressed as it could be done via indirect means as well but the effect of the difference results in prejudice.

For example, your company only appoints a specific racial group to senior management levels and another racial group only as labourers. Further examples are when people tell jokes using stereotypes or ‘mistake’ people for being in a junior position based on the colour of their skin. A company may have policies in place that places a specific race in a more dominant category.

How racism impacts a business

In many instances, people work in racially hostile work environments, which leads to employees feeling unappreciated for who they are and for the work they do, and it creates a sense of resentment towards the company and management, which in entirety could in all likelihood lead to unproductivity. This type of experience or treatment in a working environment impacts the well-being of the company and, therefore, poses a threat to financial viability.

Recourse to the law

Action should be taken against employers and employees who show any cause or enact any racist behaviour. The Commission for Conciliation, Mediation, and Arbitration (CCMA) should be approached for relief in this regard.

In the recent case of the City of Cape Town v Freddie & Others (2016) 37 ILJ 1364 (LAC), the Labour Appeal Court of South Africa (LAC) reviewed and set aside an arbitration award in which the arbitrator found that the employee was unfairly dismissed for making repeated unsubstantiated racist allegations about his manager.

The employer dismissed the employee on charges of serious misconduct due to the fact that he was grossly insubordinate, insolent and aggressive towards management and that he had sent derogatory and racially offensive emails to his manager.

During the arbitration, the employee attempted to justify his allegations of racism by stating that the manager had insulted him in front of his colleagues. The employee also made unfounded allegations of being discriminated against on the basis of his race. The employee then challenged his dismissal at the Bargaining Council and the arbitrator found that there was no evidence to prove the racism alleged by the employee and that it was the employee’s subjective view. The arbitrator held that the employee had shown some remorse.

Labour Appeal Court regards racist language as hate speech

On appeal, the LAC had to determine whether the dismissal was an appropriate sanction. The LAC noted that it was common cause that the employee was guilty of the misconduct and found that the arbitrator was wrong in ruling that the employee was remorseful as his apology was belated and only as a result of his attorney’s advice.

The LAC further found that the decision of the arbitrator in this case was not one of a reasonable decision-maker and that the employee’s dismissal was an appropriate sanction in the circumstances. The court reiterated that the use of racist language against a person or class of persons constitutes hate speech and is prohibited in terms of the Constitution and other law in South Africa.

Speak to an attorney if you have been a victim of racism at work

The consequences pertaining to racism in the workplace may be severe should an employer or employee be found guilty of the same. It may warrant a dismissal of an employee or cause for an employer to face a massive lawsuit.

If you as an employer or employee have been a victim of racism in the workplace, contact our experienced Employment and Labour Law attorneys to find out what your best recourse would be.

For labour and employment law expertise

Wesley Scheepers   [email protected]

Jeremy Simon   [email protected]

Disclaimer

The articles on these web pages are provided for general information purposes only. Whilst care has been taken to ensure accuracy, the content provided is not intended to stand alone as legal advice. Always consult a suitably qualified attorney on any specific legal problem or matter.

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