Irish Woman Awarded £23,000 After Workplace Harassment

Bernadette Hayes, an Irish bookkeeper, has been awarded over £23,000 in damages after successfully pursuing a racial harassment claim against her former employer, West Leeds Civils. The case centered around repeated instances of her boss, Mick Atkins, shouting the word “potato” at her in a strong Irish accent.

The Harassment

Between December 2023 and June 2024, Bernadette Hayes experienced a hostile work environment at West Leeds Civils in Holbeck, Leeds. Director Mick Atkins repeatedly used the term “potato” towards Hayes, often “over and over again,” particularly during disagreements . He likewise reportedly used other derogatory terms linked to her Irish heritage, including “paddy,” “stupid paddy,” and “pikey” . Atkins also sent Hayes a picture of a potato via WhatsApp and made comments about her allegedly being attracted to travelers outside the office .

Impact on the Employee

Hayes testified that Atkins’ behavior “totally eroded my self-respect and my self-esteem,” leaving her feeling “small, insecure, violated and extremely anxious” . She had repeatedly told Atkins that his comments were not funny, but felt unable to fully challenge his behavior due to his “intimidating, volatile character” . The harassment led to panic attacks, insomnia and an inability to eat, ultimately requiring her to take time off work .

Tribunal Ruling and Compensation

Employment Judge Buckley ruled that Atkins’ actions constituted racial harassment, finding the phrases used were “overtly linked to race” . Hayes was awarded £20,735.91 for injury to feelings, along with four weeks’ pay amounting to £2,800 . The judge acknowledged that Hayes had occasionally responded to the harassment by using the word “potato” or the potato emoji herself, but determined this was done in an attempt to “fit in” and “build it seem OK” .

Broader Implications

This case highlights the seriousness of workplace harassment and the importance of creating a respectful and inclusive environment for all employees. It underscores that seemingly innocuous actions, when motivated by prejudice or targeting an individual’s identity, can have a profound and damaging impact .