A College of the University of Oxford said it denies allegations of racism and racial harassment against a worker who had to have his leg amputated.
An anonymous kitchen staff member, known as 'Joe', is taking Linacre College to an employment tribunal over allegations that a manager 'tried to bully him out of his job' with racist name-calling and forcing him to wear shoes that resulted in the amputation of his leg.
Joe has worked at the postgraduate college's kitchen in St Cross Road, Oxford, for 26 years, and says he began facing difficulties at work when a new manager joined in 2023.
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The claimant says the manager referred to Joe as 'that black b*****d', and when Joe threatened to report him, he was told his performance was not up to scratch and warned he may face disciplinary proceedings.
In one meeting with senior staff, Joe was handed papers to terminate his contract, and when he refused he was 'laughed at' and 'his Caribbean accent was mocked'.
Around the same time, Joe reported to managers that the new steel toe-capped shoes he was given and required to wear, along with all the kitchen staff, were too small for him.
He claims senior staff failed to order a larger size and he was told 'to simply get on with it'.
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Days later, Joe says he had a limp from the shoes pressing on his toes, and within weeks he developed a sore and was given first aid in the college.
After six weeks of wearing the shoes, in April 2023, Joe was unable to walk, his family called an ambulance and he was admitted to hospital, where he was diagnosed with gangrene which had spread to his leg.
His leg was amputated up to the thigh, and after four-and-half months in hospital Joe was confined to a wheelchair for the rest of his life.
While he was in the hospital, Joe claims that a senior member of staff from the college visited him unannounced, pulled the sheet back from his leg and said: “I want to see if it is true that your leg has been amputated."
Joe said: “It’s not easy being black and male in the system. After nearly quarter of a century of service, Linacre College has treated me like dirt.
"Their ongoing refusal to acknowledge the harm and pain they have caused myself and my family, and the way they are protecting this racist and vindictive manager, is as devastating as the original treatment itself.
"They think that because we are black they can abuse us and hide the issues under the carpet.
"But they should understand that their decisions have consequences, and we will not remain silent."
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An employment tribunal is due to settle the dispute in June and, if unresolved, will be heard by a Judge over a 10-day hearing in December.
Principal of Linacre College, Dr Nick Leimu-Brown, said: "Linacre College takes allegations relating to discrimination, staff welfare and workplace conduct extremely seriously.
"The case is currently the subject of ongoing employment tribunal proceedings. It would be inappropriate for the College to comment on the specific allegations, while those legal proceedings are ongoing.
"However, the College strongly disputes the truth of all of the allegations that have been made publicly.
"Linacre College is committed to maintaining an inclusive and respectful working environment for all staff and does not tolerate racism, discrimination, harassment or intimidation in any form.
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"The College has established policies and procedures in place for reporting and investigating concerns raised by employees.
"As this is an active legal matter, and in order to protect the integrity of the process as well as the confidentiality and wellbeing of those involved, the College will not comment further at this stage."
Joe, along with his family, other activists and supporters, is planning to protest his treatment outside Linacre College on Monday, June 1 from 5.30pm.
