Student "sacked for being white" wins racial discrimination claim

David O'Neill brought a claim against the Ocean Dragon Restaurant in Birmingham's Chinese Quarter after he had his hours reduced by a new manager.

Mr O'Neill represented himself in the Tribunal claim after being unable to afford legal representation. He claimed that when the new manger was appointed his hours were reduced from 25 hours a week first to 15, then to 10, then to six, then eventually to nothing whilst Chinese employees were given an increasing number of shifts. The Tribunal found that this was discrimination because of his race and awarded him just over £5,000 in compensation.

After his victory in the Tribunal, Mr O’Neil said 'I was improvising, really, I had no idea what I was doing, my family were helping me through it but I did keep thinking "is this really going to work? I was almost ready to drop it, but they told me to just keep it up.'

If any buddy readers find themselves facing allegations of discrimination at work, either as a victim or the accused, and do not wish to representing themselves as Mr O’Neil did, they can contact the Clarkslegal Employment Team who will be happy to assist.

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