Work bias claim win for Latvian

A LATVIAN former factory employee has won a racism claim after she was ordered to speak English while working.

Albina Sokolova was disciplined by bosses for speaking with other Eastern European workers in her native tongue, despite the fact nobody had complained.

Staff had been told that unless they were taking a break, they needed to speak English.

An employment tribunal in Hull heard that Mrs Sokolova “relied on her daughter” to translate at home, but was refused a translator for work meetings.

For indirect race discrimination and injury to feelings, snack supplier Humdinger Ltd was ordered to pay the claimant £10,800.

Her sacking after 10 years’ employment was ruled “unfair” as she was “disadvantaged” by having to speak English in meetings, but the judge called the language policy implemented on the factory floor “reasonably necessary”.