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Bullying

1 February 2017

'Yes, but you're not like the rest of them', 'you're alright, you're like us', are some of the remarks black colleagues recount; already you have the divisive language of 'us' and 'them'. 

The fact that we are under-represented in all areas of our society; when we do reach any level of the hierarchy we are constantly having to prove ourselves much more than our white counterparts. That is if we ever get the opportunity to gain any recognition. No one says 'you're not worthy enough because you're black', but the underlying current of, never quite being good enough, the self-doubt and the total lack of appreciation linger. 

It is no surprise that the survey conducted by the CMI, suggests that only 55% of BAME employees feel appreciated compared to 71% of white employees.  The same survey on work place race equality illustrates that 30% of employees have encountered racist incidents, an increase from previous years.  The current social climate has chilled, quite dramatically in recent months, for our black brothers and sisters, and we need to work, together to ensure our voices are as loud as our white counterparts.

Nita Sanghera  (UCU Black Members' Standing Committee)

Last updated: 1 February 2017