Indian National Awarded £70,000 After UK Tribunal Finds Racial Discrimination at KFC Outlet
An Indian national working at a KFC outlet in London has been awarded nearly £70,000 in compensation after a UK employment tribunal ruled that he was wrongfully dismissed and subjected to racial discrimination by his manager.
Madhesh Ravichandran, a resident of Tamil Nadu, had approached the tribunal alleging that his Sri Lankan manager at the West Wickham KFC outlet used racially derogatory language against him and treated him unfairly because of his nationality. The tribunal found his claims to be “well-founded.”
In his judgment earlier this week, Employment Judge Paul Abbott stated that Ravichandran was subjected to less favourable treatment due to his race. The court noted that his holiday requests were denied while similar requests from Sri Lankan Tamil colleagues were prioritised. The tribunal also accepted evidence that Ravichandran was referred to as a “slave,” which the judge described as “self-evidently less favourable treatment because of his race.”
Workplace harassment and wrongful dismissal
Ravichandran joined the KFC outlet, operated by Nexus Foods Limited, in January 2023 after being interviewed by his direct supervisor, identified as Kajan. According to tribunal findings, issues began shortly after he started working.
The situation escalated in July 2023 when Ravichandran was pressured to work excessive hours. The judge accepted that this sustained pressure led directly to his resignation. During follow-up phone calls after his resignation, the manager allegedly became racially abusive and threatening.
The tribunal ruled that the racial abuse violated Ravichandran’s dignity and that he was “summarily dismissed” while serving his notice period. The court found no justification for dismissing him without notice and concluded that he had been wrongfully dismissed under UK employment law.
Compensation and corrective measures
Ravichandran was awarded £62,690 in compensation for discrimination and unfair treatment. Additional amounts for unpaid holiday entitlement and statutory employment particulars brought the total compensation to approximately £66,800.
Beyond financial compensation, the tribunal directed Nexus Foods Limited to implement mandatory workplace discrimination training for all staff. The programme must include specific guidance for managers on handling grievances appropriately and must be completed within six months.
Final Thoughts
This ruling highlights the importance of accountability in workplaces operating in multicultural societies. The tribunal’s decision reinforces that racial abuse and discriminatory practices, especially by those in managerial positions, will not be tolerated under UK employment law. Beyond compensation, mandatory training orders signal a push toward systemic change rather than symbolic justice.