'Difficult to understand' | Critiquing a colleague's 'strong' accent could be racial harassment - judge rules

Telling a co-worker it's difficult to understand their foreign accent could amount to racial harassment and be a breach of employment law, a tribunal judge has said.

Judge James Tayler made the observation during an appeal case involving the University of Hertfordshire. 

The case was brought by former marketing manager Miss Elaine Carozzi, who alleged race discrimination and harassment after facing criticism of her Brazilian accent.

The judge warned that commenting on or criticising the way someone from another country or ethnic group speaks could breach employment law. He also clarified that racial harassment can occur even if the person making the remarks does not realise they are offensive.