Reference no: EM133461677

Case study A staff member, Kirsty, overhears a group of colleagues discussing another staff member and making disparaging comments about this person based on their appearance and race.

After giving the matter some thought, Kirsty speaks to Blake, her manager, who says, 'I'll attend to the matter as soon as I can find some time'.

Blake mentions the conversation the next day to the HR manager. The HR manager is disappointed, as the diversity policy was recently reviewed and discussed with all staff. She is also disappointed that Blake did not address the issue immediately. She asks Blake what he intends to do about the matter. Blake says he will check whether all his staff attended the diversity training held the previous month, then arrange a team meeting to discuss the issue. The HR manager insists on a response by the end of the day.

Questions:

1. What part of the organisation's diversity policy and legislation was breached?
2. What action should have been taken when the staff member raised the disparaging remarks with the manager?
3. What message was communicated to Kirsty (and those making the disparaging remarks) by the response of the manager?
4. Whose responsibility do you think it is to ensure all staff attended the diversity training?
5. How can the incident be used to improve the policy?