Courts / Dublin / Report

'Culture of racism' at major security firm, WRC told

Summary

A Workplace Relations Commission hearing heard a complaint under the Employment Equality Act by Sayed Baqur-Hussain against One Complete Solutions Ltd. The applicant, a former account manager, alleges a "culture of racism" contributed to his demotion and final written warning following an incident on August 30, 2022. Mr. Baqur-Hussain admits punching an alleged shoplifter, referred to as Mr. X, but claims self-defence after the man used racist language, made a death threat, and struck a security officer. The company accused him of acting in revenge and failing to de-escalate, resulting in his demotion to security guard. The applicant contends that a non-Indian manager involved in the same incident faced no sanction, citing racial discrimination. Witness Przemyslaw Pindel, a former rostering administrator, testified to a toxic workplace environment, including racist remarks by an account manager and discriminatory overtime policies favouring Irish managers. The company's representative argued the sanctions were based on investigation findings of gross misconduct. The matter is at the charge or pre-trial stage, with the hearing adjourned to resume in the new year. Two further witnesses for the applicant and five to six for the respondent are expected to testify. No final determination has been made.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: 'Culture of racism' at major security firm, WRC told. Procedural stage: charge_or_pretrial

When:

• August 30, 2022 Other
• March 2021 Other
• April 2021 Other
• 2019 to 2022 Other
• new year Other
• 2023-12-12 Publication

Why: The company has accused Mr Baqur-Hussain of taking the law into his own hands to "avenge" his colleague – and because the alleged shoplifter had called him a "Paki paedo" when he was intercepted at the Tesco in the Jervis Shopping Centre in Dublin 1. CNI source report

Case subjects

Places mentioned

Topics

Stage Charge Or Pretrial

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Read the original CNI report