Indian Worker Wins £67,000 Compensation After Experiencing Racial Discrimination at KFC in the UK

London: A man of Indian origin has been awarded approximately £67,000 (around ₹81 lakh) in compensation after facing racial discrimination and wrongful dismissal at a KFC outlet in the United Kingdom. The decision was delivered by a UK employment tribunal, highlighting strict adherence to workplace equality laws.

The Incident:
Madesh Ravichandran, originally from Tamil Nadu, alleged that while working at the KFC outlet in West Wickham, South-East London in 2023, he was subjected to repeated harassment by his manager. The tribunal found that he had been the target of racial abuse and discriminatory treatment, confirming that the allegations were “entirely substantiated.”

Details of the Discrimination:
Judge Paul Abbott, presiding over the case, stated that Ravichandran was mistreated due to his nationality. His leave requests were denied while colleagues of Sri Lankan Tamil origin were given preference. The tribunal recorded instances of offensive racial remarks, including being called a “slave” and being told that “Indians are fraudsters.” The judge emphasized that such behavior was clearly discriminatory and intended to demean Ravichandran’s dignity. Under UK employment law, this constitutes racial discrimination.

Dispute Over Working Hours:
Ravichandran began working at KFC in January 2023 and reported directly to the restaurant manager. Tensions escalated over the following months, culminating in July when he was pressured to work excessively long hours. The tribunal accepted that his resignation was a direct result of being subjected to unreasonable working hours and ongoing racial harassment.

Denial of Legal Rights:
The tribunal further found that Ravichandran was summarily dismissed during his notice period and was denied payment for his entitled notice period.

Compensation and Orders:
The tribunal awarded Ravichandran £62,690 in compensation, with additional payments for holiday pay and other employment rights, bringing the total to approximately £66,800. Furthermore, the tribunal ordered Nexus Foods Limited, the franchise operator of the KFC outlet, to implement an anti-discrimination training program for all employees within six months. This program will include specific guidance for managers on handling discrimination complaints.

This landmark ruling underscores the importance of workplace equality and serves as a reminder that racial discrimination in the workplace is taken very seriously under UK law.