Driver wins £11,000 over racial taunts
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A truck driver resigned from his job with a London-based haulier because he was constantly subjected to racial taunts. Klaus Dieter Hohmann, of Cwmbwrla, Swansea won his claim and was awarded nearly £11,000 at a Cardiff employment tribunal.
Hohmann worked at Saints Transport for just eight months before quitting his job in November 1999 because he "simply couldn't take any more''. German-born Hohmann told the tribunal how some of the taunts, including references to Hitler, would even be announced over the public address system at the company's offices in Coinbrook, near Heathrow.
He said he was the subject of obscene and racist remarks from managing director Kevin Beeches. He added that his overtime entitlement was often calculated incorrectly, and when he challenged it he was subjected to a tirade of abuse by senior management. Beeches denied that any racist taunts were made. "Klaus was treated the same as all our other 2(10 staff," he told the tribunal, "We acknowledge that he had trouble in his overtime pay. Klaus's allegations of abuse are completely slanderous—I always found him to be a pleasant and helpful member of staff. I'm dismayed by these allegations," He said that senior management didn't have any racial awareness training.
Ruling in favour of Hohmann, tribunal chairman John Thomas said there was a ''very serious aspect to the case...nothing was done about his complaints, and he was forced to face an uncertain future with regards to his employment."
Hohmann was awarded £5,984 for loss of earnings from November till the day of the hearing, and a further £5,000 for Injury to his feelings.
Beeches is considering an appeal.