Workplace Aunty Remark: Do you also have the habit of calling the people around you or your colleagues as ‘Uncle and Aunt’? If yes, then it may cost you dearly. In India, this word is seen as a symbol of respect. But if you live in Britain then you may get into trouble.

Recently such a case has come to light. Where calling her colleague aunty at the workplace proved costly for a nurse. UK workplaces have termed this as age and gender based harassment. Not only this, an order has also been given to give compensation to the victim.

It was costly to call a colleague aunty.

According to the case that has come to light, Ghanaian nurse Charles Oppong repeatedly called Ilda, who worked with him, as aunty. Ilda several times forbade him to do so but he did not agree. In June 2023, Charles also said that Ilda could make a good partner for an elderly staff member named George, 61.

When the matter reached the tribunal, Charles denied all the allegations against him. But he admitted that once he had called her aunty. The judge acknowledged that aunty in Ghanaian Sanskrit is a word of respect for elders but Ilda did not like it so it was insulting to her.

Judge admitted harassment

While giving his verdict, the judge said that the woman has been hurt by such comments made at the workplace. This was not good conduct. This is harassment directly linked to the age and gender of the complainant. The tribunal has upheld the woman’s claim and ordered her to pay compensation of Rs 1.8 lakh. However, his request to keep his identity secret was rejected by Employment Tribunal Judge Alit.

side of the court

While giving its stand in this case, the court said that when a person continuously uses words which he does not like, despite the person’s refusal, then it does not come under the category of respect but comes in the category of harassment. This creates a disrespectful environment in any workplace. In Ilda’s case this behavior was linked to her age and gender. In the view of the Tribunal, this was considered a serious case of harassment at the workplace and an award of damages was awarded.

Information to workplace harassment in UK

If you work on something in the UK and are a victim of harassment, then you can complain to your supervisor, human resources department or an appointed officer of the company. If the matter cannot be resolved informally, efforts can be made to resolve it by following the company’s official complaint procedure. In the UK, workplace harassment is considered a serious category, in such a situation any person can complain about the wrong behavior happening to him.