Network Rail Acknowledges Failings Following Racial Harassment Tribunal

Network Rail has said it “could and should have done better” after an employment tribunal found that a worker was subjected to sustained racial harassment by colleagues.

The Southampton tribunal heard that Parmjit Bassi experienced a series of incidents while working at the Eastleigh depot in Hampshire, including the placement of an anti-Islam leaflet and a false accusation linking him to a stabbing, left in his work boots.

The panel concluded that Mr Bassi had been subjected to an “ongoing campaign” of harassment and criticised Network Rail for taking a “laissez-faire” approach, failing to act as the situation escalated.

Evidence presented during the hearing detailed how, in November 2018, Mr Bassi discovered a leaflet associated with the English Defence League (EDL) in his boots. The material questioned what people were doing to “protect their children from Islam”. Months later, newspaper clippings about a stabbing were placed in his workplace, including in his boots, accompanied by a handwritten note stating “It was Parm”.

The tribunal found that the incidents carried a clear racial element and that Mr Bassi had been treated as an “other”, despite not being Muslim. It also determined that management had been aware of the behaviour but failed to take appropriate action.

Mr Bassi was subsequently moved to a different team without consultation and later dismissed in 2021. His claims of racial harassment and unfair dismissal were upheld, with compensation to be determined at a later stage.

In response, a Network Rail spokesperson said the organisation accepts the tribunal’s findings and expressed regret over the impact on Mr Bassi.

“We are committed to fostering a working environment where everyone feels respected, valued and safe,” the spokesperson said. “Discrimination of any kind is unacceptable, and we recognise that we must continue to improve.”

The organisation added that it has taken steps to strengthen diversity and inclusion across its workforce, while acknowledging that further progress is needed.