You eat like a monkey, Zimbo worker in the UK told

A UK Social worker has been struck off for making a racist comment to a Zimbabwean colleague whilst working for Durham County Council. 

A panel of the Health and Care Professions Council’s (HCPC) conduct and competence committee heard that Jacqueline Rose O’Boyle approached colleague A, who was originally from Zimbabwe, as she ate a banana, and commented that she was “eating a banana like a monkey” or words to that effect.

The incident had a substantial effect on the colleague’s emotional wellbeing and on her performance at work, and she sought counselling as a result of the incident. The panel heard that O’Boyle maintained that the comment was merely light-hearted and was not intended to be racist.

Panel chairman Alexander Yule said: “The matters proved amounted to a deliberate act that caused offence and distress to colleague A. Other colleagues involved were shocked and upset.

“If repeated, the panel was concerned that this kind of behaviour presents a serious risk of discrimination and unfair treatment to service users and colleagues. As such, this calls into question the registrant’s suitability to work in social care services.

“O’Boyle has to date not accepted that her comment was racist and inappropriate. She has shown no meaningful insight or remorse nor has she indicated that she appreciates the seriousness of her conduct.”

The panel decided the most appropriate action was to strike O’Boyle from the HCPC register with an interim suspension order in place to cover the appeal period. O’Boyle was not present or represented at the hearing. Thenorthernecho.co.uk