Former employees claim they avoided Mohamed Al Fayed due to his racist behavior
London: Former Harrods employees have shared some pretty shocking stories about their experiences with Mohamed Al Fayed. They say that black staff would actually leave the store before he arrived because they feared his racist behavior.
One ex-security guard mentioned that there would be a heads-up when Al Fayed was on his way. This led to a quick exit for certain staff members, especially those of specific races, just to avoid being seen by him. It was clear to them that racism was a big issue during his time.
There were even claims that Al Fayed would fire black employees for minor things, like scratching their face or not dressing well enough. This all came to light after a recent BBC documentary aired, which also included serious allegations from over 20 women about sexual assault by Al Fayed.
Currently, more than five of Al Fayed’s former associates are under investigation by the Metropolitan Police. They might have helped him target women and girls from 1977 to 2014, with one victim saying she was just 13 at the time. So far, at least 90 women have come forward to report similar experiences.
Another former employee, Henry, described how black staff and others who didn’t fit a certain look would leave the shop floor in a sort of robotic manner before Al Fayed showed up. It was like a protocol to avoid him. The only ones left were typically young, thin, and blonde, although some non-white security guards stayed put.
Henry also revealed that black staff would sneak out through a tunnel connecting the store to an office across the street, only to return once Al Fayed had left. He talked about a culture of fear and bullying at Harrods, saying he was even warned not to buy a monthly travel pass because you could lose your job at any moment.
Another ex-employee, Anna, recalled being told not to hire black staff in the men’s tailored suit department because “the customers wouldn’t like it.” The Metropolitan Police have faced criticism for not prosecuting Al Fayed despite 21 alleged victims coming forward while he was alive. They had sent files for charging decisions to the CPS twice, but no charges were ever filed before he passed away in 2023 at the age of 94.
