Chef sued for ‘asking Sikh chef to remove his bangle’

A chef is being sued for discrimination after one of his employees claimed he was repeatedly asked to remove his Sikh bangle.

Niranjit Moorah Singh brought a claim of discrimination on the grounds of religion or belief against Herbert Berger, chef-director of Innholders Hall in London (pictured), having worked as assistant manager at the venue between October 2018 and September 2020, and before that as a casual worker.

In a written submission, Singh said: "Every time Herbert sees me wearing my Sikh bangle since April he asked me to remove it; he calls it a bracelet; he never ask me what is this in your hand that you were wearing?”

He said the bangle was given to him by his late grandfather and “no employer has ever asked me in my life to remove this bangle during work”, but that Berger said it would get caught on a ladle while saucing food.

“I was afraid to approach Herbert during work and the length I was employed and ask him why I am not allowed to wear this Sikh bangle,” added Singh.

Berger’s representatives successfully argued for the claim to be struck out due to non-compliance at a tribunal in July, which Singh did not attend. However, on discovering that Singh had not been aware of the hearing, Judge Paul Stewart permitted him to resubmit his claim earlier this month, with judgment expected at a later date.