Irish Bookkeeper Awarded £23,526 in Landmark Racial Harassment Case
An Irish woman has been awarded over £23,000 in compensation after enduring a sustained campaign of racial harassment from her employer, who repeatedly shouted 'potato' at her during workplace disagreements. Bernadette Hayes, a 55-year-old bookkeeper, described the behaviour as making her feel like she had 'suffered a death by 1,000 cuts', according to tribunal documents.
A Hostile and Humiliating Environment
While employed at West Leeds Civils Ltd, a civil engineering company in Leeds, Ms Hayes faced what employment judges ruled was a 'hostile, humiliating, and offensive' environment. The company director, Mick Atkins, would shout 'potato' at her in a strong Irish accent 'over and over again', alongside using derogatory language such as 'paddy', 'stupid paddy', and a racial slur in front of her.
The harassment occurred over a six-month period from late 2023. Ms Hayes testified that she felt 'physically sick' when walking into the office and 'dreaded' being mocked, especially after another employee, Marcus Smith, joined the company and the behaviour intensified. She repeatedly told Mr Atkins she did not find the comments funny but was 'afraid' to ask him to stop due to his 'intimidating volatile character'.
Psychological Impact and Tribunal Findings
The tribunal heard that the harassment 'totally eroded' Ms Hayes's self-respect and self-esteem, making her feel 'small, insecure, violated, and extremely anxious'. On a few occasions, she did 'join in' or refer to herself as a potato, but Employment Judge Sophie Buckley found this was 'in an attempt to make light' of the distressing situation.
By July 2024, the stress led to panic attacks, an inability to eat or sleep, and Ms Hayes had to be signed off work. Judge Buckley concluded that from a subjective viewpoint, the conduct clearly created a hostile environment. She stated, 'In my view, taken as a whole, it is reasonable for an individual of Irish heritage to find the repeated use of the terms 'potato', 'Paddy', 'stupid Paddy' and the racial slur offensive and humiliating. These phrases are overtly linked to race.'
Compensation and Legal Outcome
Ruling at the Leeds Employment Tribunal, Judge Buckley allowed the claim of race harassment and victimisation in part but dismissed the claim of race discrimination. Ms Hayes was awarded £23,526 in compensation, which included:
- £13,000 for 'injury to feelings'
- £6,104 for loss of earnings
- Additional amounts for other related damages
This case highlights the severe impact of racial harassment in the workplace and the legal recourse available to victims under employment law. The tribunal's decision underscores that such behaviour, even when disguised as banter, can constitute serious misconduct with significant financial and emotional consequences for perpetrators.
