I think I am suffering race discrimination at work. What can I do?

Racist behaviour towards you, conducted by anybody at your place of work, is against the law.

Racial discrimination can take many different forms. It might be direct discrimination , indirect discrimination, racial harassment, or victimisation

Racist behaviour might for example include:

• being shouted at
• being called racist names
• being denied certain benefits
• being overlooked for promotion and/or training
• being bullied

Find out whether your employer has a policy about racism at work, what it says and how you might go about raising such issues with management. It might be part of a wider equal opportunities policy.

Make sure you make a note of the behaviour you believe to be racist, when it took place and by whom.

Consider talking to work colleagues who you believe may be suffering from similar behaviour. It might be that you can approach the problem together.

If you are a member of a trade union talk to your union representative.

If you feel confident enough you might wish to talk to the individual(s) you believe is/are being racist. Explain your feelings and ask him/her/them to change their behaviour.

If the behaviour persists, whether you have spoken to the culprits or not, you may have to follow your organisation's policy on racial discrimination. If your organisation does not have a specific policy you may have to use your organisation's grievance procedure. You have a legal right to be accompanied at such a meeting.

You may wish to contact the Commission for Racial Equality a national body that can provide help and support to individuals who are being racially discriminated against.

If you're thinking of bringing a claim of racial discrimination to an employment tribunal, remember that you must use the grievance procedure first. Such a claim must be made within three months of the discriminatory act.

Discrimination law is complex, so make sure you seek sound advice at an early stage before going down this route. If you are in a union then you can speak to your representative for advice. If you are not a union member, then you might want to talk to a solicitor (there might be a charge for such a meeting), the Citizens Advice Bureau, an ACAS Officer or staff at a Law Centre

There is a helpful and free leaflet from the TUC Racism at work - a crime in anyone's language. It is available on the web or from the know your rights line 0870 600 4882 (national rate, 8am-10pm).