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Bookkeeper Wins £23K for Racial Harassment by Boss

3/11/2026

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Story summary
  • Bernadette Hayes, a bookkeeper at West Leeds Civils, was awarded over £23,000 by the Employment Tribunal for racial harassment by her boss Mick Atkins.
  • The Employment Tribunal found Atkins repeatedly shouted 'potato' in an Irish accent and made other comments tied to Hayes' Irish heritage between December 2023 and June 2024.
  • The judge ruled the behavior created a humiliating atmosphere, and Hayes faced dismissal and sick leave for work-related stress.