STILL DEALING WITH RACISM IN THE WORKPLACE: IS A NEUTRAL REFERENCE TO RACE CONSIDERED RACIALLY ABUSIVE?

The article discusses court case Rustenburg Platinum Mines v SA Equity Workers Association on Bester and Others which concerns racial remarks and racism shown by white man Meyer Bester to chief safety officer Ben Sedumedi regarding the parking facility. Topics include how the firm charged Bester with company's rule against the use of abusive and derogatory language, arbitration award which was taken on review in Labour Court, and warning to employers and employees to avoid racial descriptors.