A bookkeeper whose British boss repeatedly shouted the word "potato" at her "in a strong Irish accent" has won more than £23,000 (€26,325) after an employment tribunal found she had been racially harassed. The firm's director, Mick Atkins, also used the terms "Paddy", "stupid Paddy", and "p*key", Leeds employment tribunal heard. Outlining her claim, Ms Hayes said: "Throughout my time at West Leeds Civils, Mr Atkins did make occasional comments about me being Irish. Ms Hayes, who was 55 at the time, continued: "If we had a disagreement, he would shout 'potato' in a strong Irish accent over and over again. Ms Hayes was later dismissed from the company.

Source: Irish Examiner March 10, 2026 15:28 UTC