A British Airways manager who was demoted after allegedly calling a passenger a “piece of sh*t” has taken the airline to tribunal.
Millie Jhalli claims she was effectively dismissed when she was downgraded to customer services duty manager, a position she still holds, the Evening Standard has reported.
Jhalli claims she was demoted after she confronted an angry passenger in Heathrow’s Terminal 4 in 2008.
She alleges she was racially abused by the individual after she tried to calm her down when she was told her flight was overbooked.
She said: “I was trying to pacify the customer when I was told that ‘people like you are the lowest of the low’ and ‘you are dirt’. She then started imitating my name with an Indian accent.”
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Jhalli, of Stanwell Village, denies insulting the passenger. She is suing BA for unfair dismissal, constructive dismissal and racial discrimination following the exchange with the passenger.
The trial continues.