An Irish employee has been awarded more than £23,000 in compensation after an employment tribunal ruled she was subjected to harassment based on her heritage while working at an engineering firm.

Bernadette Hayes, who worked as a book-keeper for West Leeds Civils, was repeatedly called derogatory names by her boss, according to the employment tribunal in Leeds. The tribunal found that Hayes was subjected to taunts targeting her Irish background during her employment with the company.

The harassment left Hayes feeling what the tribunal described as insecure, violated and anxious as a result of the treatment she received. The tribunal ruled that the behavior constituted workplace harassment based on her national origin.

The £23,000 compensation award reflects the tribunal's assessment of the impact the harassment had on Hayes during her time with the engineering firm. Employment tribunals have the authority to award compensation for discrimination and harassment cases where employees' protected characteristics are targeted.

The case highlights ongoing issues around workplace harassment based on national origin and heritage, with employment law providing protection against such treatment in professional environments.