Has racial discrimination been eradicated from the workplace?

Let’s start with the vignettes. Wind back to the 1980s. A young reporter, with a big afro and minimal experience joins a local newspaper not known for its liberalism. The early days are difficult. His performance is discussed out of earshot. “He’s just so slow and lazy, isn’t he?” says an executive, all matter of fact. “They’re all like that,” his colleague replies.

Time moves on. Said reporter pitches up at the Daily Express on a night shift. The newsroom is vast and open-planned and – in keeping with the black fashion of the day – he has shaved his hair low at the sides, leaving the bulk of it up top. He enters. The cavernous newsroom falls silent – like a western saloon bar when the stranger comes to town. He scans the room, frames something between a smile and a scowl and barks “evening” to no one in particular. The normal hubbub resumes.

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