Euro Quality Coatings Head of HR justifies alleged racism and homophobia as 'just banter'

Alleged racist and homophobic jokes have been explained as “just banter” by Euro Quality Coatings (EQC) Head of HR, an employment tribunal has heard.  

Nathan Owens, who was a former Warehouse Operative, has filed an official complaint of harassment regarding race and supposed sexual orientation against EQC. He was dismissed 1^st October 2014 for lateness and absenteeism.

Julie Hunter, the Head of HR at EQC, denied the “culture of racism.” She did, however, say that banter was common.  

She told the employment tribunal: “Jokes go on – they are not directed at anybody. You get them in all work places. The message that kept coming through was that it was banter – nothing malicious. It was harmless banter.”