Full Breakdown
Security Guard's Discrimination Claim Dismissed by Tribunal
12/12/2025, 3:02:28 AM
Incident Overview
On September 2, 2024, Mohammed Ouslimane, a relief security officer employed by Octoga Security Services, was dismissed after being caught on CCTV lying barefoot on a sofa at Premier Foods' premises instead of conducting his patrols. The footage, reviewed by a manager, showed Ouslimane not moving for at least two hours during his night shift, raising concerns about his conduct and hygiene.
Employment Tribunal Findings
During the tribunal hearing, Octoga's contracts manager, Anthony Brain, expressed his dismay upon viewing the footage, stating that security officers must be appropriately dressed and ready to respond to incidents for their own safety and that of others. He noted that Ouslimane's shoes and socks were visible next to a desk, which contributed to his concerns about hygiene.
Ouslimane, who is of Moroccan origin and a Muslim, claimed that he had only been required to patrol the premises at specific times—2am, 5am, and 7am—and asserted that he had fulfilled this duty. He characterized his behavior as "human nature," arguing that no incidents occurred during his shift. Ouslimane suggested that if he had a different name, he would not have faced such scrutiny, implying a potential bias in the treatment he received.
Tribunal's Conclusion
On October 29, 2024, Employment Judge Oliver Hyams dismissed Ouslimane's discrimination claim, concluding that the primary reason for his dismissal was his failure to perform his duties adequately. The judge stated, “I concluded that the claimant had not moved from the sofa on which he was sitting... between 03:35 and 05:34 on 2 September 2024.” He further noted that there was no evidence to suggest that Ouslimane's Moroccan nationality or religion played a role in the decision to terminate his employment.
Criticism & Opposition
Ouslimane's defense highlighted what he perceived as unfair treatment, suggesting that his dismissal was influenced by racial and religious biases. He argued that the scrutiny he faced was disproportionate, and he felt targeted due to his background. This perspective raises questions about workplace discrimination and the treatment of minority employees in similar situations.
Official Statements & Responses
In response to the tribunal's findings, Octoga Security Services maintained that the decision to terminate Ouslimane's employment was based solely on his conduct during the shift, emphasizing the importance of maintaining professional standards in security roles.
Verbatim Quotes
- “Security officers must be suitably dressed and ready to react to any security incident on site, for both their own safety and the security of others.” — Anthony Brain, Contracts Manager, Octoga Security Services
- “Nothing got stolen or broken,” — Mohammed Ouslimane, Claimant
This case underscores the complexities surrounding employment practices, workplace conduct, and the potential for perceived discrimination within professional environments.
