CHINGFORD: Fitness instructor was "victim of racial discrimination"

Naveed Bari, 35, of Broadmead Road, Woodford, was until July 25 last year employed by Greens Health & Fitness Club, in New Road, Chingford.

Mr Bari, a British Muslim of Asian descent, was made redundant, but felt it was because he had previously complained about being discriminated against on the grounds of race.

His grounds of complaint stated: “The claimant was the only fitness instructor out of nine to be made redundant, despite the fact he was the most senior and experienced of all fitness instructors.”

Mr Bari initially made a string of allegations against Greens before the out-of-court agreement.

Court documentation stated that from March to May last year images with “racial connotations” were left in his post tray, including a picture of a British bulldog, a Union Jack, a gollywog and a cartoon character of a white dog that attacks people.

On April 16 last year Mr Bari, while counting cash in the safe, discovered a shortfall.

According to tribunal papers, he said he followed procedure by asking another employee to recount the cash, but he claims two staff members refused to count it.

Mr Bari was concerned he would be disciplined in connection with the cash, and raised a grievance against the company, but Green's did not uphold it.

Mr Bari said he ultimately lost his job because he had raised the previous issues complained about racial discrimination.

A Green's spokesman said Mr Bari's contract was terminated through a "fair selection process".

He said: "Greens Health & Fitness is an equal opportunities employer and is fully committed to establishing and maintaining a working environment in which individuals are selected, promoted and treated on the basis of their respective merits and abilities.

"Greens Health & Fitness is not prepared to comment on the individual reasons behind the exit of any personnel and has no additional remarks to make on this matter."