IBM discriminated against Nigerian, tribunal told

A Nigerian man was racially discriminated against by IBM Ireland, it was claimed at a tribunal today.

Prince Ademola Adekoya, 44, from Castlepark, Athy, Co Kildare, is taking a case for constructive dismissal against the computer company.

He told the Employment Appeals Tribunal that he had been ‘overlooked’ for promotion for four years at IBM Ireland while those he trained rose above him.

“They are giving it to people with lighter skin. They are discriminating against me because I am a black man,” he said.

Mr Adekoya, who is now studying for a media diploma, said he was put in a position that made it impossible for him to continue his job with the company.

He said the trouble began after a group called the African Integration and Management Consultants sent a letter on his behalf to senior management in IBM in 2001 alleging racial discrimination.

Junior counsel, Tom Mallon, representing IBM, said the company rejected out of hand that it had acted against Mr Adekoya in a racist manner.

“They (IBM) are appalled not only by racism but by your unfounded allegations of racism,” he said.

He added that IBM employed people from 75 different nationalities in its Irish operation.

Mr Adekoya said the company had begun "harassing" him with warning letters about unexplained absences, which were due to a back injury he sustained lifting computer servers at work in September 2001.

He was advised not to resume work and was sent to 10 physiotherapy sessions, which IBM paid for.

Mr Adekoya said that when he returned in December, he was put on a three-day week and given a desk job.

“(Then) they have taken me away from the desk job and put me back as a quality assessor. I said: ‘I can’t do it. I’m not feeling all right.’”

Mr Adekoya was given a verbal warning by his manager in January 2002 and in the following months, he was sent a written warning about his "unacceptable level of absence" and his failure to follow IBM absence procedure.

After further warning letters over the following two years, his salary was suspended in March 2004 and he contacted the the Employment Appeals Tribunal.

But according to Mr Mallon, the IBM investigation into Mr Adekoya’s complaints about racial discrimination found that he had good technical skills for the jobs he applied for.

But he had been unsuccessful because he rated lower than other candidates on communication and leadership skills.

He said company letters dating back from 2001 showed that Mr Adekoya had failed to comply with relatively simple procedures for absences.

The case continues.