Resources for those who have experienced racial discrimination in the workplace

 
 

For immediate support:

Police Scotland if you wish to report a crime

CrimeStoppers UK charity that facilitates anonymous reporting of crimes. Contact on 0800 555 111 or by using their simple anonymous online form.

To raise a concern regarding racial discrimination within the workplace contact:

Clinical Director for your service

NHS Lothian Human Resource (HR) enquiries [Intranet link]. Telephone 0131 536 (6)1130 and choose Option 3

Trade union representative

Speak Up if you feel unable to raise a concern using the above routes

Trickle Flares - An anonymous way to seek support. /team/nhs-lothian-dit Check the anonymity pledge.

The MED team would be happy to offer support in doing this.

NHS Lothian Staff internet page has information about raising concerns and staff support.

 

What constitutes racial discrimination?

A feeling of discrimination will be unique to each individual and this is reflected in the NHS Scotland Bullying and Harassment workforce policy.

Here you will find examples of harassing behaviours:

The most common forms of harassment are specifically directed towards protected or personal characteristics. This can be one significant incident or an ongoing pattern of behaviour. It is not an exhaustive list:

  • offensive jokes, banter and comments

  • ostracising or "freezing out", ignoring and staring

  • patronising comments and remarks

  • mimicking

  • use of derogatory terms

  • inappropriate personal questions or comments

  • belittling or patronising comments or nicknames

  • assault or other non-accidental physical contact, including disability aids

  • the display, sending or sharing of offensive letters, publications, objects, images or sounds

  • graffiti

  • offensive comments about appearance or clothing

  • deliberate and consistent behaviours which demonstrate a non-acceptance of aspects relating to protected or personal characteristics

Can we measure workplace discrimination?

Prof David R. Williams has led the development of scales to measure discrimination. The Chronic Work Discrimination and Harassment scale was developed for the YES study. The questions may help you think about discrimination in our workplaces:

1. How often are you UNFAIRLY given the jobs that no one else wants to do?

2. At work, when different opinions would be helpful, how often is your opinion not asked for?

3. How often are you watched more closely than others?

4. How often does your supervisor or boss use racial or ethnic slurs or jokes?

5. How often does your supervisor or boss direct racial or ethnic slurs or jokes at you?

6. How often do your coworkers use racial or ethnic slurs or jokes?

7. How often do your coworkers direct racial or ethnic slurs or jokes at you?

8. How often do you feel that you have to work twice as hard as others work?

9. How often do you feel that you are ignored or not taken seriously by your boss?

10. How often do others assume that you work in a lower status job than you do and treat you as such?

11. How often has a coworker with less experience and fewer qualifications gotten promoted before you?

12. How often have you been unfairly humiliated in front of others at work?

 
 

Escalating concerns- Doctors in Training

The escalating concerns document (below) describes our current processes. More details can be found on our Escalating Concerns page.

Should you prefer to raise your concern outside of your clinical line you can contact your Trade Union or Speak Up for support and advice.

Doctors in Training Support and Reporting Mechanisms Infographic

 
 

Escalating concerns- UG Medical Students

Please find information for medical students about escalating concerns via the Report and Support System, which is supported by the Equally Safe Team.

Our escalation document (below) is tailored to help clinicians signpost University of Edinburgh students to reporting mechanisms, but equally can be utilised by clinicians.

Should you prefer to raise your concern outside of your clinical and educational line, Speak Up can be contacted for support and advice.

Links embedded within this document include:

Student Advisor Service

Report and Support

MED team contacts

Listening Service

Student Wellbeing Service

Disability and Learning Support Service

Counselling

Special Circumstances

If a student not satisfied with the response or agreed actions, after raising concerns and these being escalated appropriately they can be signposted to Independent National Whistleblowing Office (INWO).

Medical Student Support and Reporting Mechanisms infographic

 
 

Other options for reporting concerns

  • NHS Lothian Speak Up: If you feel unable to contact your line manager, supervisor or lead clinician, or your trade union representative, you can contact a Speak Up Advocate (SpeakUp@nhslothian.scot.nhs.uk)

  • The GMC ethical hub pages on Racism in the workplace provide advice and tools to help doctors to raise concerns

  • The GMC’s confidential helpline can also provide guidance on how to raise concerns you might be struggling with. You can remain anonymous if you prefer. It is available Monday to Friday, 9am–5pm on 0161 923 6399

  • The Independent National Whistleblowing Officer available in Scotland provides information, advice and support on raising concerns

  • Protect is a UK-wide charity that advises and supports individuals and encourages safe whistleblowing

 

Support for you

Experiencing discrimination in the workplace can have enduring impacts on your health