Jose Gomes worked as a security officer at Heathrow for 20 years and served as a Unite union representative, becoming Chair of the Terminal Three branch shortly before his dismissal. He reported harassment by colleague Mr Dadral in May 2022; Dadral was later convicted of harassment without violence. Dadral filed complaints against Gomes in July 2022 alleging racial discrimination, claiming Gomes showed a video describing India as a dirty country and used offensive phrases including a handshake remark and a derogatory term for black people. Gomes denied targeting anyone, admitted referencing the phrases, and later accepted the video could be offensive. Gomes was suspended in September 2022 and dismissed two months later after a formal investigation found policy violations; an employment tribunal later found the dismissal unfair, with potential compensation of £44,000.
Jose Gomes had worked as a security officer at the airport for 20 years. He was also a Unite union representative, and shortly before his dismissal became Chair of the Terminal Three branch. In May 2022, Mr Gomes reported harassment by a colleague, Mr Dadral, following his election victory as branch chair. Mr Dadral was convicted of harassment without violence later that year.
Mr Dadral then filed complaints against Mr Gomes in July 2022, alleging racial discrimination. He claimed he was shown a video by Mr Gomes which described India as a dirty country. He also alleged that Mr Gomes used the phrase if you shake an Indian man's hand, count your fingers. He went on to allege that he had also heard Mr Gomes use a word which is described as a derogatory term for black people.
Mr Gomes denied the allegations, although he admitted to referencing these phrases in general, which he says were not directed at anyone. He also described the video which caused offence to Mr Dadral as educational. However, he later accepted that it could be seen as offensive. Mr Gomes was suspended in September 2022. He was then dismissed two months later following a formal investigation, having been found to have violated policy on three grounds.
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