A tech worker earning £95,000 a year has lost her employment tribunal case after accusing her boss of racism for allegedly skipping her during champagne service at a Christmas office event.
Laoise Foley, 30, who worked as a pre-sales consultant at Smart Impact Limited in London, claimed managing director Ahmed Eltohamy deliberately ignored her when handing out drinks at a client gathering in November 2022 because she was Irish.
However, Central London Employment Tribunal dismissed all 14 of her claims of discrimination, harassment and victimisation.
Employment Judge Hodgson ruled that Mr Eltohamy had simply placed champagne glasses on a table for guests to help themselves rather than personally handing them out.
The judge concluded that Ms Foley had the same opportunity as everyone else to take a drink.
“She chose not to take a glass,” Judge Hodgson said.
The incident took place on 24 November, 2022, during a client presentation event where staff were demonstrating new products.
Ms Foley alleged that Mr Eltohamy moved around the room giving champagne directly to colleagues while intentionally excluding her.
Ms Foley claimed her boss gave champagne directly to other colleagues while intentionally excluding her (file photo)
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But the judge rejected this version of events.
“He was pouring glasses and placing them on the table,” Judge Hodgson said. “People helped themselves, and everyone was welcome to take a glass.”
The tribunal heard Ms Foley earned a £75,000 salary plus a £20,000 bonus.
Her claim included several other allegations during her 18 months at the firm.
Central London Employment Tribunal dismissed all 14 of her claims of discrimination, harassment and victimisation
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She said Mr Eltohamy harassed her when he allegedly jumped aside in a corridor and shouted “bye”, which she interpreted as implying she was “an aggressive Irishwoman who tried to push people out of the way”.
The judge dismissed the allegation, describing her account of when the incident occurred as “inconsistent and confusing”.
Ms Foley also claimed harassment after receiving a WhatsApp message from a colleague about a work document while she was on annual leave, which the tribunal said fell “well short” of harassment.
Another complaint involved a viral video of a six-year-old Irish girl asking to go to the pub, which Ms Foley argued was racially offensive despite replying with a laughing emoji and writing “Pretty much!”.
Before bringing the case, she filed four internal grievances with the company.
Only one was upheld – that her induction when she joined the firm had been inadequate.
The tribunal heard Ms Foley later became withdrawn at work and stopped carrying out basic duties.
She was given six weeks’ notice in March 2024.
Mr Eltohamy told the tribunal he and her line manager concluded she was no longer engaging with colleagues and her performance had declined.
Her claim that she had been dismissed in retaliation for raising discrimination concerns was also rejected.
