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
Kouri Richins poisoned husband for his millions because she's an 'incompetent' businesswoman: prosecutors

Greed and Deception: How Kouri Richins’ Business Failures Led to a Deadly Plot for Her Husband’s Fortune

Kouri Richins, a Utah mother facing charges for allegedly murdering her husband…
Canadian school sparks controversy over ‘no food’ zones to serve Muslim students fasting for Ramadan

Canadian School’s ‘No Food’ Zones for Ramadan Fasting Create Stir

In a move that has ignited significant debate online, a Canadian school…
Sweeney's Saloon offers free meals to Minn. lawmakers who dine with pols from across aisle

Sweeney’s Saloon Invites Minnesota Lawmakers to Complimentary Meals for Bipartisan Dining

In an effort to foster bipartisanship, a restaurant in Minnesota is offering…
Why Gulf states aren’t joining the war against Iran — despite attacks on their soil

Gulf States Maintain Neutrality Amidst Iranian Aggressions Despite Regional Tensions

Despite recent escalations by Iran in the Persian Gulf, many of the…
Iranian women’s soccer team to depart Malaysia for Oman after asylum reversal

Iranian Women’s Soccer Team Set to Leave Malaysia for Oman Following Asylum Decision Reversal

KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia — The Iranian women’s soccer team is scheduled to…
Survivors of Iranian drone strike in Dubai arrested for sending photos of the aftermath

Dubai Drone Strike Aftermath: Arrests Made for Sharing Photos Online

In a distressing turn of events, three survivors traumatized by an Iranian…
Nancy Guthrie update: Search for Savannah Guthrie's missing mother enters seventh week with no arrests

Seventh Week of Search for Savannah Guthrie’s Missing Mother, Nancy: No Arrests Yet in Ongoing Investigation

The search for Nancy Guthrie, the 84-year-old mother of “Today” co-host Savannah…
Woman crushed to death under St. Patrick's Day parade float in front of crowds of spectators

Tragic Accident: Woman Fatally Injured by Parade Float During St. Patrick’s Day Celebrations

A tragic incident occurred during a St. Patrick’s Day parade in Louisville,…
Toni Preckwinkle vs Brendan Reilly: Cook County Board president, ald. make final appeals to voters before Illinois Election Day

Cook County Showdown: Preckwinkle and Reilly Rally Voters Ahead of Illinois Election Day

CHICAGO — In the final stretch before Election Day, Cook County Board…
Trump to formally name Vance chair of fraud task force — with these states in crosshairs

Trump Appoints Vance to Lead New Fraud Task Force Targeting Key States

WASHINGTON — President Trump is set to sign an executive order this…
Kouri Richins verdict: Author of book on grief convicted of murder in husband's 2022 fatal fentanyl poisoning in Utah after trial

Utah Author Kouri Richins Convicted of Husband’s Murder: Grief Book Writer Found Guilty in 2022 Fentanyl Poisoning Case

A Utah woman, who authored a children’s book on dealing with grief…
Cuba reports island-wide blackout as energy crisis worsens

Cuba’s Energy Crisis Deepens: Nationwide Blackout Sparks Urgency

HAVANA (AP) — On Monday, Cuban authorities announced a nationwide power outage…