White supervisor claims victimisation after complaining about black worker
David Woods, 02 October 2008
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A London Underground employee who was awarded £125,000 in a racist bullying case has been accused of intimidating a white station supervisor.
Daniel Jean-Marie, a black member of staff, was awarded £125,000 in an out-of-court but London Underground settlement after accusing two members of staff for taunting him by "joking about biting the heads of black jelly babies".
A jury cleared the other employees, Vic Cooney and Carlos Rozza, of racially aggregated harassment in a case costing tax-payers £250,000.
However Tom Mahoney, a station supervisor, has launched a case against London Underground, saying he was victimised by his bosses after making claims about Jean-Marie's "frightening" behaviour towards him.
Jonathan Maude, employment partner at Hogan & Hartson, said: "Employers should not be "paralysed" from dealing with employees who may be bringing claims against them. Robust management by employers should prevent this sort of thing escalating."
"The strength of feeling these claims generate is bad for business, morale and profile - it's better to nip them in the bud rather than drag them out."
