A black security manager has been awarded £361,000 in compensation after a white colleague called him a "slave", an employment tribunal heard.
Richard Assan resigned from Vigilant Security in April 2022 after working there for 15 years, claiming he was victimised by colleagues.
The tribunal in London found Assan's claims of victimisation and constructive dismissal proven, accepting that "race-based incidents" had occurred at the company, which is run by ex-military personnel.
The firm had a "striking imbalance" between racial profiles, with many guards and team leaders from ethnic minority groups while managers were mainly white, the tribunal heard.
A black security manager has been awarded £361,000 in compensation after a white colleague called him a 'slave', an employment tribunal heard.
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In June 2011, Bill Cowle, a white chief engineer, referred to Assan as his "slave" in what was "apparently intended to be humorous".
A manager, Guy Rampe, asked Assan in July 2012 where he had learnt his English, which the claimant found "offensive".
The tribunal also heard that when Assan applied for a promotion in April 2016, his application was "not acknowledged".
Judge Anthony Snelson found the "slave" comment "clearly" caused Assan detriment and involved "evidently race-based conduct".
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The tribunal in London found Assan's claims of victimisation and constructive dismissal proven
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The judge noted: "The gross racial imbalance within the managerial cohort lends support to the claimant's perception of a culture in which it is an accepted norm that visible ethnic minority staff populate the lower orders of the organisation and management is confined to white men."
He added: "For want of any evidence to disprove discrimination, we find that the claimant's race was, at the very least, a material factor in the failure to engage with and process his promotion application."
Assan resigned on April 6, 2022, claiming he was the victim of "continuous bullying and racism dating back to 2011".
Judge Snelson said: "We have no doubt that he regarded his race as a central reason for his constructive dismissal. Our objective assessment, however, is otherwise."
Ameer Ismail represented Mr Assan at the tribunal
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The tribunal found that discriminatory treatment had occurred "sporadically between about 2011 and 2016" but did not form "a material part of his decision to resign".
It also noted that Assan had an "acute sensitivity to criticism" and a mindset which “treats any critical comment as unfair”.
The £361,000 award includes compensation for injury to feelings and personal injury.
