Asda worker was targeted because of Ukrainian heritage

A UKRAINIAN Asda worker has won a £63,000 payout after being unfairly punished by managers who thought her nationality made her “subservient”.

An employment judge ruled Svitlana Henderson was threatened, denied breaks, subjected to “nasty” comments, and left to work in cold chillers for hours at a time, because her managers “knew she was Ukrainian and her cultural work ethic made her subservient”.

Manchester Employment Tribunal heard her bosses at Asda, in particular manager Mark Bates, “singled her out” because her nationality made her an “easy target”.

After resigning in tears from the branch in Accrington, Lancs, Mrs Henderson sued Asda for racial harassment and constructive unfair dismissal. Employment Judge Jennifer Ainscough rejected an appeal by Asda to overturn the ruling and now, Mrs Henderson has been awarded just over £63,000.

An Asda spokesman said: “We are very sorry for Mrs Henderson’s experiences at Asda before she left in 2019. This does not reflect the inclusive culture we want to implement in stores.”