Irish woman awarded $31K after suing boss for repeatedly hurling 'potato' slur -- other 'humiliating' terms at her
Share this @internewscast.com

A tater-tastic triumph.

In a recent racial discrimination case, an Irish woman was awarded $31,000 after enduring months of derogatory remarks from her British superior, who mocked her with terms like “potato” in a heavy Irish accent.

Bernadette Hayes, 55, described her six-month ordeal under her boss, Mick Atkins, as akin to “death by a thousand cuts,” according to the Independent.


Bernadette Hayes, a Leeds woman who won a racial discrimination lawsuit.
Bernadette Hayes, 55, scored $31,000 in a racial discrimination suit after her British boss repeatedly hurled racist slurs – including calling her a “potato” – at work.

Testifying before a UK employment tribunal, Hayes, a bookkeeper at West Leeds Civil Ltd, a civil engineering company in Leeds, recounted how her supervisor repeatedly derided her with the word “potato” and other offensive slurs such as “paddy,” “stupid paddy,” and “pikey.”

The harassment allegedly began in late 2023, as documented in court filings.

Hayes reported that Atkins made numerous racial jibes, and the situation deteriorated further when another individual joined the company. This left her feeling “physically sick” and in constant fear of being mocked, the report noted.

“This totally eroded my self-respect and my self-esteem,” she told the court, adding she was too scared to confront her “intimidating, volatile” boss.

“It made me feel small, insecure, violated and extremely anxious. It also made me feel embarrassed.”


Potatoes on a wooden table, some resting on a burlap cloth.
Hayes left her job in July 2024 after the relentless torment left her suffering panic attacks and insomnia. sherstobitov – stock.adobe.com

Hayes quit her job in July 2024 after the relentless attacks left her with panic attacks and insomnia, court documents said, according to the outlet.

Judge Sophie Buckley awarded the woman the hefty sum after ruling Atkins had created a “hostile, humiliating and offensive” workplace.

“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 ‘pikey’ offensive and humiliating,” the judge determined.

“These phrases are overtly linked to race, particularly when considered together rather than in isolation. On that basis, I find that the conduct was linked to race.”

Share this @internewscast.com
You May Also Like
1 killed, 11 injured in multi-vehicle pileup involving FDNY truck on NYC street

Tragic Multi-Vehicle Collision in NYC Involving FDNY Truck Results in 1 Fatality, 11 Injuries

A chaotic multi-vehicle collision in Brooklyn on Tuesday evening resulted in one…
Fresno High School student dies after passing out during PE class, Fresno Unified confirms

Fresno High School Student Tragically Passes Away Following Incident in PE Class, Confirms Fresno Unified

Tragedy struck Fresno High School in California on Monday when a student…
Why the Iran war may come down to the control of one tiny island

Strategic Island Holds Key to Iran Conflict: Why Control Could Determine War’s Outcome

WASHINGTON — Nestled in the Persian Gulf, a diminutive island, roughly a…
Ayatollah Khamenei opposed son Mojtaba from becoming Iran's next supreme leader

Power Struggle Averted: Ayatollah Khamenei Rejects Son Mojtaba’s Bid for Iran’s Supreme Leadership

No one anticipated that Mojtaba Khamenei, often seen as an ineffective “nepo…
Shooter at Chiefs 2024 Super Bowl celebration sentenced to 2 years after murder charge dropped

Man Involved in Chiefs Super Bowl Celebration Shooting Sentenced to 2 Years after Murder Charge Reduced

Dominic Miller, one of several individuals implicated in a shooting incident that…
Fremont is America’s happiest city again — but living there will cost you

Discover Why Fremont Reigns as America’s Happiest City (And the True Cost of Living There)

Fremont has been named the best place to live in America once…
FBI arrests alleged MS-13 member accused in El Salvador pastor’s killing

FBI Captures Suspected MS-13 Member Linked to El Salvador Pastor’s Death

A man suspected to be involved with the notorious MS-13 gang and…
Cubans beg the US to mount an intervention and free them from Communist government

Cubans Urge U.S. Intervention: A Plea for Liberation from Communist Rule

Although Pedro Quiala Carmenate doesn’t consider himself religious, he finds himself turning…
FBI offers $1M reward for capture of 'Ten Most Wanted' 300-pound suspect possibly hiding in Mexico

FBI Announces $1M Reward for Capture of 300-Pound ‘Ten Most Wanted’ Fugitive Believed to be in Mexico

The FBI has significantly increased the reward to $1 million for any…
LAX rideshare fees to increase to improve airport congestion

New LAX Rideshare Fee Hike Aims to Alleviate Airport Congestion and Enhance Traveler Experience

Officials at Los Angeles International Airport have sanctioned a significant hike in…
GOP in 'course-correction mode' after Noem ouster, unfavorable polls: Speaker Johnson

GOP Seeks New Direction Following Noem Ouster and Low Poll Numbers, Says Speaker Johnson

House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) announced on Tuesday that the Republican Party…
Wine lovers are flocking to Napa Valley's hottest new eatery — and it isn't what you'd expect

Discover Napa Valley’s Unexpected Culinary Gem: The New Must-Visit Spot for Wine Aficionados

Move over French Laundry, Napa Valley’s latest culinary sensation is not a…