https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2025/jun/28/calling-someone-a-karen-is-borderline-racist-sexist-and-ageist-tribunal-says

Calling someone a “Karen” is “borderline racist, sexist and ageist”,

a tribunal judge has said.

Employment judge George Alliott said the term, typically targeted at

middle-aged white women, was pejorative.

The remarks came in the case of Sylvia Constance, 74, who had brought

claims of unfair dismissal, direct race and age discrimination and victimisation against Harpenden Mencap, a charity that provides support
to adults with learning disabilities.

Constance, who the tribunal heard is black British, said she was

targeted because of her race, having been dismissed on 13 June 2023
because of an “irrevocable breakdown in the relationship” with Mencap.

Bosses had previously suspended Constance over claims of

“emotional/psychological abuse of a tenant in your care” and “bullying and intimidation of colleagues”, the tribunal heard.

Christine Yates, who represented Constance at the tribunal, said in a

document: “The respondents have acted like the stereotypical ‘Karen’, having weaponised their privilege and more powerful position against the complainant, making up and suspending the complainant for numerous
fictitious infringements, and deflecting from their personal misconduct.

“As egregiously, they encouraged residents under their care to do

same. There is also something very sordid about the way in which white,
female management have facilitated racism by colluding with white, male residents to give a misogynistic, racist view of the black complainant.”

But Alliott said: “We note Christine Yates uses the slang term

‘Karen’, which is a pejorative and borderline racist, sexist and ageist term.”

The judge dismissed Constance’s claims, saying that the complaints

against her were “legitimate” and “did not constitute a targeted racist campaign against her”.


Dunno why but I predict a lot of HR departments, especially in
Labour-run Councils, going bananas shortly.

Also, shouldn't people be in rest homes at 74?

--
Ottavio Caruso

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On 29 Jun 2025 at 17:06:35 BST, "Ottavio Caruso" <[email protected]> wrote:

https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2025/jun/28/calling-someone-a-karen-is-borderline-racist-sexist-and-ageist-tribunal-says

Calling someone a “Karen” is “borderline racist, sexist and ageist”,

a tribunal judge has said.

Employment judge George Alliott said the term, typically targeted at

middle-aged white women, was pejorative.

The remarks came in the case of Sylvia Constance, 74, who had brought

claims of unfair dismissal, direct race and age discrimination and victimisation against Harpenden Mencap, a charity that provides support
to adults with learning disabilities.

Constance, who the tribunal heard is black British, said she was

targeted because of her race, having been dismissed on 13 June 2023
because of an “irrevocable breakdown in the relationship” with Mencap.

Bosses had previously suspended Constance over claims of

“emotional/psychological abuse of a tenant in your care” and “bullying and intimidation of colleagues”, the tribunal heard.

Christine Yates, who represented Constance at the tribunal, said in a

document: “The respondents have acted like the stereotypical ‘Karen’, having weaponised their privilege and more powerful position against the complainant, making up and suspending the complainant for numerous
fictitious infringements, and deflecting from their personal misconduct.

“As egregiously, they encouraged residents under their care to do

same. There is also something very sordid about the way in which white, female management have facilitated racism by colluding with white, male residents to give a misogynistic, racist view of the black complainant.”

But Alliott said: “We note Christine Yates uses the slang term

‘Karen’, which is a pejorative and borderline racist, sexist and ageist term.”

The judge dismissed Constance’s claims, saying that the complaints

against her were “legitimate” and “did not constitute a targeted racist campaign against her”.

Dunno why but I predict a lot of HR departments, especially in
Labour-run Councils, going bananas shortly.

I fail to see why HR departments should be upset about *winning* an ET claim.

Also, shouldn't people be in rest homes at 74?

No. There is not reason to stop people working at 74 unless there is safety isssue - airline pilots for instance. People can still legally drive buses in their eighties.


--

Roger Hayter

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