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Employment tribunal rules use of term 'coloured' not harassment
A tribunal found that a one-off reference to two people as 'coloured' did not amount to racial harassment. The mixed-heritage worker who raised the complaint resigned after filing a grievance.
Jul 9, 2:23 AM·1m read1 source
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An employment tribunal ruled that describing two people as "coloured" did not constitute racial harassment or discrimination. The panel examined a March 2025 incident at Kier Ltd's Sheffield office. A project manager referred to two women outside the building as "two coloured ladies" while a commercial administrator of British and Jamaican heritage was within earshot.
The administrator reported the comment to her manager and later filed a grievance alleging a pattern of discriminatory behaviour. She requested to work remotely and left the company in July 2025, citing stress.
Tribunal findings The tribunal concluded the project manager did not intend the remark to be offensive. It determined the comment was a single instance and that it was not reasonable for the administrator to find the term harassing. The panel dismissed claims of harassment related to race, victimisation, and direct race discrimination.
Worker response The administrator stated she felt "baffled" by the outcome and said the judicial system had failed her. She had also noted discomfort with other workplace language, including references to a "little old black lady" and laughter at non-English surnames.
