A UK tribunal has ordered a KFC franchise to pay £67,000 to Indian worker Gurbax Singh for racial abuse and unfair dismissal by his manager. The ruling exposes deep workplace racism flaws, spotlighting migrant vulnerabilities in London’s fast-food sector.
Gurbax Singh, a dedicated shift manager at the KFC outlet in Orpington, south-east London, faced relentless racial harassment from his line manager, Paul Tallentire.
Tribunal documents reveal Tallentire hurled slurs like “p*** bastard” and “fing p” during everyday disputes over uniforms or shift duties. These outbursts peaked in 2023, culminating in Singh’s abrupt dismissal after he lodged formal complaints.
The employment tribunal, presided over by Judge Anita Hughes-Brockliss, awarded Singh £66,898 in total compensation. This broke down into £30,000 for “injury to feelings”-recognising the profound emotional toll—plus lost earnings and aggravated damages.
“This was deplorable conduct, not mere banter,” the judge ruled, detailing how the abuse left Singh, a father of two supporting family in India, battling anxiety and sleepless nights. Singh’s legal team hailed it as a “landmark victory,” with his solicitor stating: “Gurbax showed immense courage; this sends a clear message to exploitative employers.”
Humanising the story, Singh described feeling “humiliated daily, like I didn’t belong,” underscoring the personal scars of such discrimination.
Timeline: From Grievances to Tribunal Win
The ordeal traced back to mid-2022, when Singh first flagged Tallentire’s behaviour to Gus’s Fried Chicken Limited, the franchise operator. Instead of support, the company dismissed his concerns, backing the manager and issuing Singh warnings.
Dismissed in September 2023, Singh turned to Acas for early conciliation, then filed claims for unfair dismissal, race discrimination, and harassment. A two-day hearing in late December 2025 at the London Central Employment Tribunal exposed the franchise’s failures, including no diversity training or proper investigations.
No appeals have been lodged as of 30 December 2025, per court records. KFC UK distanced itself swiftly, issuing a statement: “We are appalled by this unacceptable behaviour.
This is not who we are at KFC, and we have suspended our relationship with this franchisee while reviewing compliance across all partners.” Franchise boss Gus’s Fried Chicken has remained silent, but the ruling mandates payment within 14 days.
Broader Context: Migrant Struggles in UK Hospitality
This case fits a troubling pattern. UK Home Office data shows hate crimes against South Asians surged 20% in 2024, with workplaces like fast-food chains-employing over 1.5 million, many migrants-hotspots for abuse.
Similar rulings, such as a 2024 McDonald’s case awarding £25,000 for Islamophobic slurs, highlight systemic gaps. For Indian workers like Singh, who often endure long hours on visas tied to jobs, speaking out risks everything.
The Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC) welcomed the verdict, urging: “Employers must embed anti-racism policies; tribunals alone aren’t enough.”
Amid Brexit-era labour shortages, franchises rely heavily on migrant staff-yet reports from unions like Unite reveal underreporting due to fear. No prior complaints surfaced at this Orpington outlet, but the scandal prompts questions on KFC’s franchise oversight, given its 900+ UK sites.
Stakeholder Reactions and Implications
Singh’s supporters rallied online, with #JusticeForGurbax trending on X (formerly Twitter), amassing 50,000 views. Community leaders from London’s Indian diaspora praised it as “a step for all brown workers.”
Critics, however, point to KFC’s track record; a 2023 BBC investigation flagged multiple franchise hygiene and worker issues.
Politically, Labour MP Abtisam Mohamed called for “national audits of migrant workplaces,” while shadow home secretary Chris Philp stressed “zero tolerance for racism.”
Economically, the payout-equivalent to Rs 74 lakh-stings for a franchise, but experts like employment lawyer Rachel Suff note it pales against reputational damage. KFC vows enhanced training, but will it stick?
The Logical Indian’s Perspective
This verdict affirms that no worker should endure racism’s poison, especially those like Gurbax who power Britain’s economy with quiet resilience.
Yet it exposes how franchises dodge accountability, leaving migrants exposed.
At The Logical Indian, we stand for empathy, dialogue, and harmony-urging companies to foster inclusive spaces through mandatory training, whistleblower protections, and cultural sensitivity. True coexistence demands action over apologies.
