University apologises over racist abuse

8:41am Saturday 5th July 2008

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The University of Bradford has apologised to two female staff members who were subjected to racism.

It has further announced the establishment of an independent review into practices within its School Health Studies.

The two black women were found to have been subjected to racist abuse, discrimination, intimidation and threats of violence The apology was issued by the University’s vice-chancellor Professor Mark Cleary in a joint statement with the Universities and Colleges Union, which represented the complainants.

The apology, thought to be the first by any UK university, came after the complaints – first registered in 2005 – were upheld at appeal earlier this year.

In the statement Prof Cleary said: “We make an unreserved apology to the aggrieved colleagues in our School of Health Studies.

“They have experienced poor management practices with evidence of racial discrimination in the workplace. We also recognise the formal grievance process has been protracted, confrontational and distressing.

“We are grateful for the positive engagement we have had with the UCU during these grievance procedures. I am also pleased to announce we will be working with the UCU in the coming months to review policies and practices.

“This review will allow us to learn lessons from what has already happened and help us look forward to continual improvement.”

Roger Kline, head of equality and employment rights at the UCU, said: “We welcome the way in which the University of Bradford has responded.

“We especially welcome the way in which the vice-chancellor has had the courage to invite independent scrutiny of the underlying issues so lessons can be learned. We hope this process – and whatever changes are recommended – will rebuild staff confidence, help prevent future grievances and demonstrate to staff, students and the local community that Bradford wishes to set high standards in how it manages staff and deals with discrimination.”

Dr Bill Gulan, who represented the complainants, said: “The complaints ranged from racist graffiti to marginalisation, lack of promotion and physical threats.

“Initially the complaints were rejected but Prof Cleary reheard all the cases and found the university may have been culpable. This is the first time this has ever happened.

“Prof Cleary has exhibited great leadership and bravery and has shown himself to be a man of principal.”

The panel will comprise Peter Herbert, a barrister and crown court recorder, who is chairman of the Society of Black lawyers; Professor Harinder Bhara, director of Change Management consulting group and the staff ombudsman at Leeds Metropolitan University, and Jan Scrine, consultant mediator and associate director of Consensus at Work.