A MAN who quit his job after being subjected to “monkey chants” and racial abuse while working for the probation service has won a payout.

Lloyd Odain said he felt “ignored and isolated” because “nothing appeared to be done” after he made a complaint to probation bosses alleging racial discrimination in the wake of incidents at HM Prison and Probation Service (HMPPS) offices in Reading, in 2019.

According to the Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC), Mr Odain was working for a contractor used by the service at the time and was “subjected to multiple incidents of racial discrimination and harassment by another contractor”.

These included the person making “making monkey chants” towards Mr Odain while he was talking to colleagues.

He reported the racist behaviour to probation service managers but, following a “flawed investigation”, the offender was allowed to return to work in the same office, leaving Mr Odain with “no choice but to leave the job he enjoyed”, the body which supported his legal case said.

READ MORE: Police officer denies assaulting teenager at London Tube Station

More than three years since his initial complaint, Mr Odain has received compensation after the probation service settled the case.

This comes after a preliminary hearing held in June which, according to the EHRC, “found it may be liable for the racist behaviour of the contractor towards Mr Odain”.

The settlement, which was accepted before the final hearing, does not include an admission of liability or a commitment from HMPPS to review its policy around how contractors are treated.

The EHRC said the monkey chants were not disputed by the probation service in the legal case, which instead focused on the liability of organisations to protect workers employed through third parties from harassment from other workers also employed through third parties.

Mr Odain, in a statement issued on his behalf by the EHRC, said: “I feel grossly let down by the prison and probation service. I worked in the Reading office for many years in different roles and took pride in my job helping people who were struggling to find a path in life.

Reading Chronicle:

“After being subjected to monkey chants and other racist behaviour, I followed the correct processes in making a complaint. I felt ignored and isolated as nothing appeared to be done. I then found out that the person who had behaved so appallingly was back working in the building. The thought of dealing with more racism, and having no support, left me with no option but to give up the job I enjoyed and was good at.

“I have spent more than three years fighting for change so that others shouldn’t face what I faced. I hope that, by exposing the horrendous treatment I suffered, HMPPS learn lessons from this case.”

EHRC chairwoman Kishwer Falkner said Mr Odain suffered “shocking racism”.

Kishwer Falkner added: “Employers, third-party contractors and workers all benefit if any awful incidents like this are addressed quickly and appropriately by management.

READ MORE: Deaths following contact police with police in the past 5 years

“It is disappointing that, in this case, HM Prison and Probation Service chose to defend themselves on the basis of legal technicalities rather than to commit positively to protect and support their own staff. Racism is never acceptable.

“We hope the financial settlement will help Mr Odain move on from his experience. As Britain’s equality watchdog, we will continue to use our unique powers to help people like Mr Odain seek justice through initiatives like our fund for race discrimination cases.”