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Richard Blackwood’s mother: I was treated like a skivvy at Hilton
Tim Stewart3 Aug 2010
The mother of radio presenter and comedian Richard Blackwood is suing the Hilton hotel group for race bias after bosses allegedly ignored black staff for promotion.
Juliette Giscombe, 57, claims that managers treated her like a “skivvy” and “bullied and patronised” her at the flagship Park Lane hotel.
Hilton strenuously denies Mrs Giscombe's allegations and is vigorously defending her tribunal claim.
The telephonist claims managers repeatedly overlooked her in favour of younger, less experienced white workers she had trained. She alleges that her bosses did not consider her “worth investing in”, adding: “They did invest in staff, providing they were white.”
Mrs Giscombe said: “They could not conceive of a black person doing anything other than a menial role.”
She claims that her poor treatment by Hilton managers made her so ill that she had to quit her job last October. Mrs Giscombe is suing Hilton International Hotels for race and age discrimination and constructive dismissal.
The Jamaican-born mother-of-two from Streatham is seeking Ł60,000 for loss of earnings and injury to feelings. Mrs Giscombe broke down in tears as she launched her claim at Central London Employment Tribunal. In legal papers she tells how she took a pay cut to join Hilton in 1999 for a salary of Ł10,700. By mid-2002, she says she grew concerned that her career had not advanced. She says: “I remained in the same position as I had been when I first started whilst other staff, most of whom I had trained and were white, moved on into better positions.”
A Hilton spokesman said: “Hilton is dedicated to being an equal opportunities employer and we place a strong emphasis on diversity and inclusion. A career with Hilton offers many opportunities for all races and genders.”
The case was adjourned until November, when Mrs Giscombe is due to give evidence.
Reader views (19)
I have worked for Hilton and I find this accusation astonishing, there ethics are above anyone else out there. They have a designated careers team to give career development and give excellent support to anyone who is worth investing in. This article really highlights that this woman has a bad attitude problem. The fact that she uses Race, Age, bereavement and the fact her son is D list celebrity Richard Blackwood to manipulate the public says it all.
- Jem, London, 15/11/2010 15:38
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We know all about that chip on the shoulder bit,!!
Be good at your job and you get promotion,nothing to do with what you look like.
- Davey_buoy, Chertsey, 30/07/2010 09:55
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Having been in managerial positions since the mid 80s I would confirm that not all people are promoted on merit.
That being said being good at a particular job it does not follow that you are capable of the one the next one up the rung. In addition some people who ain't particularly good at the jobs they are doing my show some appitude or natural ability for another job higher up.
- Mark, Gerrymandered African Republic of Southwark, 30/07/2010 09:54
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I work for Hilton albeit in another hotel and I have never experienced any racism of favouritism ... in fact quite the opposite.
Most hotels especially in London have a very diverse workforce - so any thoughts of racism is ridiculous.
As an ethnic minority myself - it makes me sick when people play the race card just to cash in ... and we wonder why in society tar us all with the same brush.
Thanks Mrs Giscombe !
- An employee, London, 30/07/2010 09:17
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Is this the same Richard Blackwood who protested that Ali G was a racist creation? Sounds like chips on shoulders run in the family.
- James, London, UK, 30/07/2010 08:51
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Black Knight, London - try checking out the term, "unbiased opinion". It could be quite enlightening.
- Rogan, Irving, 29/07/2010 21:13
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Black Knight, London - theres nothing like interjecting an unbiased perspective, is there....
As for the article....
She "burst into tears while relating...?" well, yeah. That's all part of the script, it could be said. If the company has a good rep, race wise, the odds are that she's not been promoted because she was not seen to be promotion material. She may well have trained many of those she saw as being elevated above her - but promotion invariably takes on greater and wider responsibilities, something that those promoted need to be deemed capable of by the decision makers.
Bottom line - there's no 'entitlement' to promotion. I requires a combination of ability, circumstance, a good impression made on the bosses - and not unoften, a measure of luck. It's called "life".
- Rogan, Irving, 29/07/2010 19:53
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@Black Knight
You seem to be missing the point.
Mrs. Giscombe is claiming bias on the basis of race.
What you described about workers having the gift of the gab or being drinking buddies with the boss has nothing to do with race and is an entirely different issue altogether.
You single out lazy, feckless WHITE workers, but then go on to suggest perfectly valid sociological reasons for their preferential treatment.
It seems to me that you have no factual basis for your assumption that you are being ignored on the basis of race.
Whether Mrs. Giscombe is right to claim for loss of earnings on the basis of race is up to the tribunal to decide. It seems to me she could quite easily have been considered not "worth investing in" due to her age rather than her race.
It's still not right to discriminate on the basis of age, but it is another perfectly believable alternative to her having been ignored due to race.
Yet the immediate assumption is always... race.
It does seem that there is a trend for those of an ethnic minority who have been passed over for promotion to assume that it is on a racial basis when there could be other quite valid, or at least alternative, reasons.
Obviously, companies should be promoting the employee most suited to and deserving of the post, but there are a multitude of reasons why somebody else might be chosen and, believe it or not, it is not always down to race!
- Ricky, London, 29/07/2010 19:10
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certain people seem to find it impossible to comment on a story regarding a black person without assuming that they (ie the black person) is in the wrong. on this occasion we have no idea if this woman is crying wolf as we haven't really heard any evidence. why don't you wait and see instead of giving your prejudices full reign. morons. you know who you are.
- james last, london, 29/07/2010 18:19
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Perhaps she need the money to give to her son. Let's face it, his "career" went down the pan many many years ago!
- Scott, Docklands, London, 29/07/2010 15:10
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I concurr with Mrs. Giscombe.. You see it all the time feckless, lazy white workers being promoted over you, either for having the gift of the gab or just being drinking buddies with the manager. It disgusting!! I've had to put up with friend hiring, feet on the table, drinking buddies who haven't got a clue in the work environment...its sickening.
- Black Knight, London, 29/07/2010 14:53
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has she ever thought that she didn't deserve promotion, being black doesnt mean you deserve promotion.
- George, London, 29/07/2010 13:37
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The card is getting just a bit dogeared now as it's been played far too many times...........Turn the record over please !
- Andy Woodhead, London, ENGLAND, 29/07/2010 13:33
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In this day and age I find it hard to believe that any company would overlook people because of their colour. It's far to easy for people to sue companies if this is found to be the case. The more I hear of cases like this, the more I wonder if it's simply the case that they were not upto the job? Alot of companies no longer automatically promote people and you have to apply and be interviewed for the position. This way everyone has a fair chance based on their abilities and skills.
- Paul Humphreys, Essex, 29/07/2010 12:53
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'career in cleaning' - surely an oxymoron.
- Squiz, Islington, 29/07/2010 12:28
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Hilton is generally considered to be an equal op company ( their rep within the industry is pretty ok on this matter). Generally speaking, their reputation is also that they do prefer younger staff, that can still be moulded into the hilton spirit blabla. It might be more of an age thing in this case....
Or else they hired her for a position that suits her well, and didn't think it wise to promote her further.
- Juma, at work, here, 29/07/2010 12:21
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As usual the race card is so easy but what if its nothing to do with race and everything to do with personality or the lack of... ! giving credence to this sort of thing would elevate the wicked.
- moronamid, London England, 29/07/2010 12:00
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Maybe your the racist thinking people were promoted because of their colour.
I mean if I said they only promote black people some might say im being racist.
Perhaps your just not that good at your job, or is that too hard to understand and it makes you feel better playing the race card.
- Dal, Bromley, 29/07/2010 11:55
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Comedian???
- Kev, London N1, 29/07/2010 11:27
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