Council apologises for racial discrimination

Mazar Dad worked at Redfern Waste Management Depot for 35 years before he was suspended for 18 months

A council has apologised to a former manager after a tribunal ruled it racially discriminated against him over a new equipment policy.

Mazar Dad was suspended from his role as a senior manager at a waste depot, after a grievance was raised against him for enforcing a policy that asked staff to sign for personal protective equipment (PPE).

He felt he was treated differently to two white colleagues and took his case to an employment tribunal which agreed with him.

Birmingham City Council said Mr Dad was a "loyal and committed" employee and said he would be paid compensation.

Mr Dad, who is of Pakistani heritage, worked at Redfern Waste Management Depot for 35 years when he was suspended after being accused of "interfering with an ongoing investigation".

Alongside other managers, Mr Dad attempted to enforce a new policy with staff in November 2016 that meant they had to sign for PPE - which many refused.

The incident triggered a union-led protest and a grievance was raised against management staff for bullying, which saw Mr Dad suspended.

He brought a claim to an employment tribunal against Birmingham City Council, claiming he was a victim of institutionalised racism.

The tribunal, which published its findings in August, found he was discriminated against on the basis of his race.

On Thursday, Graeme Betts, the council’s acting chief executive, said: “On behalf of the council, I apologise to Mazar for his treatment.

"I also want to acknowledge that Mazar was a loyal and committed employee. We publicly apologise to Mazar and confirm that we have agreed to make a payment to compensate him for the discrimination he has suffered.

"The council has rescinded the disciplinary warning issued to him."