Royal Mail to pay £70,000 compensation after failing to act over racist KKK note in sorting office

Royal Mail has been told by ACAS – the impartial public body that acts as an arbitrator on workplace disputes – to pay £10,000 to seven men each, due to the organisation’s inaction over their complaints in regards to a racist KKK note.

The note was left at the Royal Mail’s South West Distribution Centre in Severn Beach, pinned to a sorting machine.

On one side of the note, a circle was drawn with three triangles in it, and with two dots in each triangle.

This was accompanied by text which read “What’s this?” and “P.T.O”.

On the other side, the following was written: “KKK just chucked a black guy down the well”.

The men allegedly complained to their bosses about feeling threatened and offended, however, their superiors did not actively address their concerns. As such, the group were thus forced to go to ACAS.

A spokesperson from the Royal Mail said: “Royal Mail was obviously disappointed that the tribunal felt that our employees were victimised for raising concerns and we have paid out the agreed compensation to them”.

They also said that: “Royal Mail is committed to a workplace free of discrimination and harassment, where our colleagues feel respected and able to thrive”.

It has been widely noted that racism at work is a significant problem.

The TUC trade union body has suggested previously that more than a third of ethnic minority workers have been subject to racism at work.

Ms. Frances O’Grady – the TUC general secretary – has said: “Racism still haunts the Britain workplace. Racist bullying, harassment and victimisation should have no place anywhere, least of all at work”.