Scots to fight workplace discrimination

GLASGOW, Scotland, Nov. 24 (UPI) -- A Scottish report shows employers must work harder to abolish employees' discriminatory chatter in the workplace.

The report from the University of Strathclyde in Glasgow, commissioned by the Scottish Trades Union Congress, said clear guidelines are needed so that prejudicial remarks by co-workers may not be passed off as mere banter or humor, The Herald newspaper in Glasgow reported Monday.

The report advised employers to institute effective procedures to create an environment in which all employees see it as their obligation to fellow workers to report any kind of discrimination and support those who become targets for prejudice, the newspaper reported.

"It is very disappointing, if not wholly surprising, that the researchers found evidence that sectarianism persists in the Scottish workplace," STUC General Secretary Grahame Smith said.

The report advised employers and unions to work together to develop clear anti-prejudice policies, for procedures to be in place to remove graffiti and for clear guidelines on penalties applying to offenders.