University department ‘tainted’ by racism

A UNIVERSITY department has been ruled to be racist because of its “subconscious bias” towards an Indian lecturer, a tribunal has ruled.

The damning judgment found that Dr Kajal Sharma was discriminated against by bosses at Portsmouth University when her five-year tenure was not renewed, with her role in the business and law department instead going to a white woman with “no experience”.

Instead of renewing Dr Sharma’s contract the head of department, Prof Gary Rees, and two colleagues appointed Kerry Collier to the role. She was described by the panel as “a white woman with no experience of the job”.

The panel said: “The usual outcome when a person reapplied for their post, was that they would be reappointed if they wanted to be,” adding: “Therefore, statistically, [Dr Sharma] could have expected to be reappointed.”

Dr Sharma is now in line for compensation after the tribunal concluded that the selection process was “tainted by race discrimination”.

The panel, chaired by Judge Catherine Rayner, was particularly critical of Prof Rees, accusing him of treating Dr Sharma differently because of “subconscious bias”.

The hearing in Southampton, Hants, was told that Dr Sharma began her role as associate head for organisational studies and human resources management on a five-year contract at the start of 2016.

She told the tribunal she and Prof Rees, her manager, had a “difficult” relationship and she cited several examples of unfair treatment, including wanting her to work in the aftermath of her father’s death and failing to support her as she cared for her sick infant son.

He also actively encouraged a white colleague to pursue an additional qualification but failed to support Dr Sharma when she suggested she was interested in doing the same, the hearing was told.

Then, when her contract was almost up, Prof Rees failed to tell her that her job was to be advertised.

A hearing to decide compensation will take place at a later date.