Overview
- The Leeds Employment Tribunal awarded £23,526 after upholding race harassment and victimisation in part and dismissing a separate discrimination claim.
- Judge Sophie Buckley found the repeated use of terms including "potato," "paddy" and "pikey" created a hostile, humiliating and offensive workplace.
- The conduct occurred from December 2023 to June 2024, and Hayes was later signed off with work-related stress marked by panic attacks and insomnia.
- She was dismissed in August 2024 following gross-misconduct allegations the judge deemed entirely baseless and triggered by her complaints.
- Company director Mick Atkins denied the allegations and called the case "nonsense," while Hayes said she wants to put the matter behind her.