London KFC Operator Fined £67k Over 'Slave' Slur and Racial Bias

A landmark employment tribunal has delivered a stinging rebuke to a prominent South-East London fast-food operator, awarding nearly £70,000 to a former employee who was subjected to a "racially prejudiced" regime of harassment and overwork. Madhesh Ravichandran, a dedicated worker who relocated from the Indian state of Tamil Nadu to pursue his career in the United Kingdom, became the target of severe verbal abuse and systemic discrimination at the West Wickham branch of KFC, operated by Nexus Foods Limited.

The legal proceedings centered on the conduct of branch manager Kajan Theiventhiram, whose treatment of Mr. Ravichandran was described by Judge Paul Abbott as being significantly influenced by racial animus. The tribunal heard harrowing testimony regarding an incident in March 2023, just two months after Mr. Ravichandran joined the team, where he overheard Mr. Theiventhiram referring to him as a "slave" while speaking to another colleague. The manager reportedly stated he would prioritize Sri Lankan Tamil staff over Mr. Ravichandran, creating a hostile and exclusionary environment based on the claimant's specific regional identity and heritage.

Beyond the verbal slurs, the tribunal found that Mr. Ravichandran was denied basic employment rights, including the fair approval of annual leave. Judge Abbott accepted evidence that the claimant was coerced into working excessive, grueling hours—a burden the court determined was directly linked to the manager’s prejudiced attitude. While Mr. Ravichandran attempted to resolve the issue internally, his eventual resignation was met with a total lack of meaningful investigation by Nexus Foods Limited, a failure the judge characterized as victimisation.

In a comprehensive judgment, the tribunal awarded Mr. Ravichandran a total of £66,800 to compensate for wrongful dismissal, direct race discrimination, and the deep humiliation he suffered. The financial penalty serves as a stark warning to franchisees regarding the oversight of senior staff. In addition to the monetary payout, the tribunal issued a formal recommendation that Nexus Foods Limited implement a rigorous, company-wide training program focused on workplace discrimination to prevent a recurrence of such "upsetting and humiliating" treatment.

The case of Madhesh Ravichandran highlights the ongoing challenges faced by migrant workers in the UK service industry. Originally from Tamil Nadu—a region known for its rich cultural history and industrious workforce—Mr. Ravichandran’s personal journey to London was intended to be a professional milestone. Instead, it became a legal battle for dignity. While specific personal details such as his private address or family particulars remain protected under privacy protocols, the public record now identifies him as a pivotal figure in holding major food service franchisees accountable for the conduct of their management teams.