Race abuse victim wins £33k payout

A woman who suffered eight years of racial abuse at an electronics company in Essex has been awarded more than £33,000 in compensation by an employment tribunal.

Pauline Taylor had worked as a technician at Benham General Engineering in Maldon since 1999 before construction union UCATT referred her case to its solicitors. Partner Nick Story said: "This is the worst case of systematic racial abuse I have encountered in 15 years of professional practice."

The tribunal ruled the company must work in consultation with the Commission for Racial Equality to train all managers in dealing with discrimination complaints and all staff must undergo diversity training.

UCATT general secretary Alan Ritchie said: "This case underlines that racism still exists in the workplace. The courage of Mrs Taylor working with our lawyers means that the abuse has been exposed and the company punished."