'Outnumbered' | Staff speaking Polish in meeting was discrimination, tribunal rules

A care worker has won claims for race discrimination and harassment after colleagues excluded her by speaking Polish during a supervision meeting.

Ms S Kellington-Crawford (the claimant), who is English and does not speak Polish, was awarded £2,500 in compensation for injury to feelings after an employment tribunal found her employer, Newlands Care Angus Ltd, treated her less favourably because of her race.

She also successfully claimed a small sum for unlawful deduction from wages. Her remaining complaints - which included age and sex discrimination, whistleblowing detriment, unfair dismissal, and victimisation - were dismissed.

Tribunal finds harassment during workplace meeting

The tribunal heard that Ms Kellington-Crawford, employed as a Senior Care Assistant, was the only non-Polish speaker present during a performance-related meeting in December 2022. Three Polish colleagues, including senior managers, were also present and spoke Polish at various points.