West Wickham KFC Franchisee Fined £70K for ‘Slave’ Remark

A KFC franchisee in West Wickham, southeast London, has been fined approximately £70,000 following allegations of racial discrimination. The case involved manager Kajan Theiventhiram, who reportedly referred to an Indian employee, Madhesh Ravichandran, as a “slave” during a conversation.

Details of the Case

Madhesh Ravichandran, originally from Tamil Nadu, India, began his employment at the West Wickham KFC in January 2023. Just two months into his role, he faced multiple instances of discrimination that culminated in his wrongful dismissal.

Key Incidents

• Mr. Ravichandran’s request for annual leave was denied.
• He overheard Mr. Theiventhiram stating he would prioritize Sri Lankan Tamil employees over him.
• During the same conversation, Mr. Theiventhiram labeled Mr. Ravichandran as “this slave.”

Tribunal Findings

The tribunal, led by Judge Paul Abbott, found significant evidence of direct race discrimination and harassment. Mr. Ravichandran’s resignation came after months of feeling “upset and humiliated” due to a racially biased environment.

Compensation and Recommendations

The tribunal awarded Mr. Ravichandran £66,800 in compensation. It also mandated that Nexus Foods Limited, the operator of the West Wickham KFC, establish a workplace discrimination training program for all staff members.

This case highlights the critical need for improved awareness and policies against workplace discrimination in the restaurant industry.