Stylist wins £11,000 racial harassment case in UK

A stylist at Ralph Lauren, Rikki Grey, has won £11,000 in compensation after her boss made racist comments about her mixed-race background. The store manager, Nathan Rickerby, called her the “United Colours of Benetton” during a work meeting in 2019. Grey, who has Jamaican heritage, felt the comments were deeply offensive. Grey claimed that Rickerby's remarks were part of a pattern of racial discrimination and harassment. The employment tribunal found that Rickerby's comments were indeed racial harassment and noted how his statements had a significant impact on Grey's well-being. The conflict began after Rickerby became the store manager in June 2019. Their working relationship quickly deteriorated, leading to frustration and misunderstandings between the two. After several incidents at work, Grey took sick leave due to work-related stress. In the months following the incident, Grey formally reported the harassment and claimed to have been traumatized by the comments. Although her initial complaints were dismissed, she later decided to pursue legal action. The tribunal determined that Rickerby’s comments were not only careless but also created a hostile work environment for Grey. The judge highlighted that Rickerby, being in a position of authority, had a responsibility to foster a respectful workplace.