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An employment tribunal has awarded over £23,000 to Bernadette Hayes, an Irish book-keeper, after ruling that she was subjected to racial harassment at her workplace. Hayes experienced repeated verbal abuse from her employer, Mick Atkins, director of West Leeds Civils, where she was employed between December 2023 and June 2024. The tribunal found that Atkins repeatedly shouted the word “potato” at her in a strong Irish accent, alongside other offensive phrases that were explicitly tied to her race.
According to the ruling, the treatment Hayes endured created a hostile and degrading workplace atmosphere. Despite informing Atkins multiple times that his comments were unwelcome, his behavior escalated, particularly after a colleague named Marcus Smith became involved with the business. Hayes recounted that Atkins would call her “potato” even before she spoke and sent her a picture of a potato via WhatsApp. She also said Atkins frequently accused her of having inappropriate feelings towards local travellers, which she described as bullying and harassment that severely damaged her self-esteem.
The tribunal judge, Judge Buckley, acknowledged the profound emotional toll this conduct had on Hayes, finding that the repeated racial comments were linked specifically to her Irish heritage. Although Hayes occasionally used the word “potato” or its emoji in messages, the judge accepted this was a response aimed at fitting in rather than genuine amusement. The ongoing harassment led Hayes to take sick leave in July 2024, citing work-related stress and her subsequent dismissal from the company.
In a formal grievance, Hayes likened her experience to “a death by 1,000 cuts,” describing the environment as toxic and hostile. She strongly attributed her condition to the actions of Atkins and Smith. Meanwhile, Atkins dismissed the tribunal proceedings as “nonsense from start to finish” in a statement to the media. Ultimately, Hayes was awarded £20,735.91 in compensation and an additional payment equivalent to four weeks’ pay, totaling £2,800
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