A New Zealand worker who was given the nickname Kiwi by other employees at an Adelaide bakery where she worked has lost a racial discrimination case.
Julie Savage's claims that being called Kiwi, while working at Vili's Cakes, was racially insulting was thrown out by the South Australian Employment Tribunal yesterday, according to a report from ABC News.
The case brought by Ms Savage alleged that managing director of Vili's Cakes, Vili Milists, began calling her Kiwi while she worked there in 2016.
This in turn prompted other workmates to take up the moniker, which Ms Savage claimed caused her racial discrimination and "disrespect".
The bakery argued that the term Kiwi is endorsed by the New Zealand Government and used as "a term of endearment and as a means of identifying as a New Zealander".
Judge Leonie Farrell sided with the bakery, stating in her judgement that "Kiwi is not an insult."
"It cannot be said to give rise to a detriment as defined by section five of the EO (Equal Opportunity) Act.
"I accept that use of the term 'Kiwi' does not amount to an act of discrimination prohibited by the EO Act," she said.
Mr Milisits says he employs all nationalities and is not a racist.
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