英国国家美术馆因其安保人员管理政策面临歧视指控。[1]美术馆外包安保人员绝大多数来自少数族裔背景，却被禁止进入为正式员工提供的高质量休息室"中心枢纽"，该设施配有补贴食堂和专属厨师。[1]相比之下，这些保安人员被限制使用地下室空间，该区域被描述为"闷热、肮脏、黑暗"，仅配有贩卖机提供零食。[1]一位策展人对此表示："安保人员被当作二等公民对待。"[1]
美术馆现场约有60名保安，但同时休息的保安人员寥寥无几，引发对美术馆声称因"更广泛的空间限制"而采取此举的质疑。[1]PCS工会于2024年7月1日致函美术馆主任，指称该做法"在《2010年平等法案》下可能具有歧视性"。[1]此外，保安人员还声称美术馆要求单个保安同时看守多达四间房间。[1]
The National Gallery in London has been accused of racial segregation in how it treats its security personnel, according to allegations reported by a museum curator.[1] Outsourced security staff, the vast majority from minority ethnic backgrounds, are prohibited from using the "Central Hub," a high-quality staff break room that features a subsidized canteen and dedicated chef, while this facility remains open to mainly white permanent employees.[1] Instead, security workers are confined to basement facilities described as stuffy, filthy, and dark, where only vending machines provide refreshments.[1]
The PCS union raised concerns about the arrangement in a letter to the gallery's director on July 1, 2024, asserting that the practice "may be discriminatory under the Equality Act 2010."[1] The museum has approximately 60 security staff on site, yet only a handful rest at any given time, which challenges the gallery's explanation that space constraints necessitate the restriction.[1] The gallery has attributed the ban to broader spatial limitations since the office was established, though this justification has been disputed.[1] Additionally, security personnel have reported being required to simultaneously monitor up to four rooms individually.[1]