Genève Aéroport was wrong. This is the verdict rendered by the institution’s Appeals Commission, contacted by a former employee dismissed after denouncing a climate of harassment and racism within her department. The body considered that its denunciations were justified. According to the “Tribune de Genève”, the woman, nicknamed “Bagheera” at work because of her skin color, alerted management in 2016. Last year, she also pointed out a professional WhatsApp group containing in particular drawings of a sexual nature and images mocking certain nationalities.
An internal investigation as well as a criminal complaint from Cointrin resulted in the case being closed and the whistleblower being dismissed. But in the eyes of the Appeals Commission, the hierarchy allowed a toxic climate to persist for years, even participating in it via the WhatsApp group. This ordered the institution to pay more than 100,000 francs to the victim. For Genève Aéroport, which is considering an appeal, the results of the investigation ruled out the existence of harassment and justified the dismissal of the employee.
In a press release on Sunday, the Public Services Union (SSP) airport section demands that those responsible for racist or sexist remarks be sanctioned, and calls for the reinstatement of the ex-employee.
Swiss
