American Pizza Express worker told to 'go back to your country' and called a 'yank' wins £5,000 for racial discrimination

By FRANCINE WOLFISZ, NEWS REPORTER Published: 11:24, 16 July 2026 | Updated: 11:25, 16 July 2026 A Pizza Express waiter who was branded a 'f****** yank' and told to 'go back to your country' during a row with a colleague has won more than £5,000 in compensation. Raymond Joseph claimed he was racially discriminated against as a result of a row with Michael Tortolano at an Aberdeen branch of the popular eatery. His co-worker told him in front of customers: 'Why don't you just leave, nobody f****** likes you, f****** American, go back to your country you f****** yank.' Telling an American they should return home and calling them a 'yank' is racial harassment under UK employment law, a tribunal has now ruled. Mr Joseph complained he felt 'hurt and humiliated' by the remarks which were overheard by members of the public. He had been employed as a waiter at Pizza Express in Aberdeen, Scotland, in September 2024 and was working 20 to 22 hours a week.  From early on in his employment Mr Joseph claimed he felt that one of his shift managers, Evan Baranowski, did not like him. He complained to his general manager, Bethany McFarlane, that Mr Baranowski would 'lecture' him about being one minute late and was a bit 'authoritarian' - saying it created a 'bad vibe'. Raymond Joseph claimed he was racially discriminated against during a row with another waiter at an Aberdeen branch of Pizza Express (file pic) Mr Joseph also complained about Mr Baranowski allegedly rounding down his working hours and transferring table payments so he would not receive tips. In February 2025 Pizza Express encouraged staff to work in clothing designed to celebrate their 60th birthday. Mr Joseph posted a message on the company's intranet social media page, called Slice, complaining that it looked like the anniversary clothing had 'swastikas' on it. He put out a 'trigger warning' as the designs could be seen as 'highly offensive'. He said: 'Maybe these should be the new head office uniforms!! It's obvious they never consult with the workers who actually have to wear this garbage.' Mr Joseph added: 'Some of those designs do resemble swastikas and will be highly offensive to some ethnic and religious groups hence my 'trigger warning'.'  In March 2025 he was called into an informal meeting with Ms McFarlane where his Slice comments were discussed, as well as his frequent messages to her in relation to work matters. They also discussed the fact he frequently sent his music to staff members. He was subsequently sent a 'letter of concern' and reminded of the company's 'community code'. Concerns were also raised about a previous WhatsApp message in the restaurant's group chat where Mr Joseph said a colleague looked like 'he just got dropped off from a Mumbai helpline call centre'. Then on April 8, Mr Joseph got into an altercation with another waiter, Mr Tortolano. After being called a 'yank', Mr Joseph allegedly replied 'f*** off bald loser' before calling him an 'incel c***'. Mr Joseph later complained of waiters serving ice with their 'dirty hands and fingernails'. An investigation took place into the incident, but Mr Joseph complained about the protected disclosures that had been revealed. He was suspended in June 2025 for breaching company policy and a subsequent disciplinary hearing found him guilty of gross misconduct. A final written warning was given, however a further meeting took place and he was sacked. Mr Joseph took the decision to an employment tribunal, which has now ruled he did suffer harassment related to race. A judge said he was due £5,469 from Pizza Express as compensation for his hurt feelings. His claims of victimisation as a result of making protected disclosures about the company were however thrown out, as was a separate claim about the swastikas and his unfair dismissal. In a written ruling, employment judge Melanie Sangster said: 'The respondent conceded that MT had made comments towards the claimant on 8 April 2025, as documented in his WhatsApp message and witness report on the same date, which constituted harassment related to race. 'That complaint accordingly succeeds. 'While the claimant remained working and did not require to take time off, or seek any medical assistance or intervention, it was clear that, after the incident, he remained upset and angry, repeatedly asking why an investigation in relation to the incident had not yet commenced.' Pizza Express has been contacted for comment.