Boss Faces Backlash for Racial Harassment

0:00On March 16th, a construction boss in West Yorkshire has been ordered to pay more than 23,500 pounds to his Irish. Bookkeeper after a tribunal found he racially harassed her. Mick Atkins repeatedly called Bernadette Hayes, a potato, patty, and pike over several months, creating a hostile work environment at his firm, West. Lead civils. Atkins thought the comments were just playful workplace banter between friends who had worked together for two years. But the judge ruled the slurs were offensive and linked to her Irish heritage, awarding her 13,000 pounds for injury to feelings and over, 6,000 pounds for lost earnings. Hayes described feelings small, insecure, and anxious, dreading each day at the office where the taunts happened in front of staff. She even sent potato emojis herself at times to fit in. But the harassment led to panic attacks and insomnia. Now Atkins faces a backlash flood of angry calls to his company's hotline, abusive messages, and even death threats that have kept him awake and, scared for his family.

1:04The total cost to him, including legal fees, hits around 60,000 pounds. He's publicly apologized, pledged a 1,000 pound donation to an Irish center, and says the ordeal taught him to watch his words carefully with, staff to avoid hurting anyone.