Irish Bookkeeper Awarded Over £23,000 in Racial Harassment Tribunal Case
An Irish bookkeeper has been awarded more than £23,000 by an employment tribunal after enduring repeated racial harassment from her boss at an engineering company. Bernadette Hayes, aged 55, worked at West Leeds Civils in Holbeck from December 2023 until June 2024.
Offensive Remarks Targeting Irish Heritage
During her employment, director Mick Atkins allegedly made a series of derogatory comments targeting Hayes's Irish background. The tribunal heard that Atkins shouted "potato" in a strong Irish accent at Hayes on multiple occasions. He also used offensive terms such as "paddy," "stupid paddy," and "pikey" in reference to her heritage.
Hayes testified that these remarks, which occurred even in front of other staff members, "totally eroded my self-respect and self-esteem." She described feeling "small, insecure and extremely anxious" as a result of the persistent harassment.
Escalation of Harassment Outside Office
The harassment extended beyond the workplace. Hayes cited incidents where Atkins sent her a potato emoji via WhatsApp and repeatedly made offensive remarks linking her to Irish travellers outside office hours. This pattern of behavior created what she described as a pervasive hostile environment.
After months of enduring this treatment, Hayes went on sick leave in July 2024 due to work-related stress. She subsequently filed a formal grievance highlighting the discriminatory atmosphere at West Leeds Civils. Following this action, she was dismissed from the company.
Tribunal's Ruling and Compensation Award
Employment Judge Buckley ruled that the repeated use of racially charged phrases created a "hostile, humiliating and offensive environment" for Hayes. The tribunal found that Atkins's conduct constituted unlawful racial harassment under employment equality legislation.
The tribunal awarded Hayes £20,735.91 in damages for injury to feelings and loss of earnings. She received an additional four weeks' pay totaling £2,800, bringing the total compensation to over £23,000.
Impact on Mental Health and Well-being
Commenting on the ruling, Hayes said the ordeal had a significant impact on her mental well-being, describing it as "a death by 1,000 cuts." She emphasized how the cumulative effect of the harassment gradually undermined her confidence and psychological health.
Atkins dismissed the tribunal proceedings as "nonsense from start to finish," maintaining his position despite the ruling against him.
Broader Implications for Workplace Discrimination
This case highlights the serious consequences of racial harassment in the workplace and the legal protections available to employees facing discrimination based on national origin or ethnicity. Employment tribunals can award substantial compensation when employers fail to address hostile work environments.
The ruling serves as a reminder to companies about their responsibility to prevent harassment and maintain inclusive workplaces free from discriminatory behavior targeting employees' heritage or background.
