‘Loud ethnic female’ medic wins racism case against hospital
A MEDIC at the renowned Moorfields Eye Hospital has won a racism case after her boss stereotyped her as a “loud ethnic female”.
Samirah Shaikh was “singled out” and called “aggressive” when she raised allegations of racism in the workplace with chief ophthalmic practitioner, Peter Holm.
Mr Holm, head of medical imaging, also mocked a Filipino nurse and Indian doctor by mimicking their accents, a tribunal found.
Suffered
He was described by Judge Sarah Keogh at London Central employment tribunal as “not a sophisticated manager”.
After she was moved from the department, Ms Shaikh’s mental health deteriorated dramatically, she suffered panic attacks daily and experienced suicidal thoughts.
On her return from sick leave and finding promises of change had not been implemented, she resigned.
Now Ms Shaikh, who worked at Moorfields as an ophthalmic technician for 20 months, has successfully sued the leading London eye hospital for race discrimination and harassment and is in line to receive substantial compensation.
The tribunal heard that after joining in April 2019, Ms Shaikh became concerned there was a lack of promotion opportunities.
In September 2020, staff within the medical imaging team held a meeting with Mr Holm to raise concerns of “potential racism in the promotion of in-house staff”.
Mr Holm responded by “making jokes about scrubs and talking about the colour of scrubs”.
A tribunal report said: “We find that Mr Holm did not take well to allegations of discrimination being raised and from that point on perpetuated a stereotype of Ms Shaikh as a ‘loud ethnic female’.”
Ms Shaikh was then moved and her health began to suffer.
The tribunal found Mr Holm and other managers failed to deal with the allegations of racism.
Soon after her return in December 2020, she resigned and in January 2021, alongside some of her ex-colleagues, complained about Mr Holm.
Ms Shaikh won claims of direct race discrimination, race harassment, victimisation, and constructive dismissal. Compensation will be awarded later.