Latest news with #Harpenden
The Independent
5 hours ago
- The Independent
Tribunal says calling someone Karen is ‘borderline racist, sexist and ageist'
An employment tribunal says that calling someone a " Karen" is "borderline racist, sexist and ageist". The judge presiding over the case described the "pejorative" slang term as typically aimed at middle-aged white women. The ruling emerged during a hearing at Watford Employment Tribunal, where Sylvia Constance, 74, brought claims of unfair dismissal, direct race and age discrimination, and victimisation against Harpenden Mencap. The charity provides support to adults with learning disabilities. Ms Constance, who the tribunal heard is Black British, alleged she was targeted because of her race, leading to her dismissal on 13 June, 2023. Harpenden Mencap said that her dismissal was due to an "irrevocable breakdown in the relationship". The tribunal also heard that Ms Constance had previously been suspended by her bosses over claims of "emotional/psychological abuse of a tenant in your care" and "bullying and intimidation of colleagues". Christine Yates, who represented Ms 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 employment judge George 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 Ms Constance's claims, saying that the complaints against Ms Constance were 'legitimate' and 'did not constitute a targeted racist campaign against her'.
The Guardian
6 hours ago
- The Guardian
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'.
Telegraph
a day ago
- General
- Telegraph
Calling someone Karen is ‘borderline racist, sexist and ageist'
Calling a middle-aged white woman a Karen is 'borderline racist, sexist and ageist', an employment tribunal has ruled. The slang term – often used to describe a woman who is perceived as entitled or excessively demanding – was 'pejorative', a judge said. The ruling came in the case of Sylvia Constance, a 74-year-old black charity worker, who accused her bosses of targeting her because of her race and her age. In a 'trenchant' complaint written on her behalf, female managers at Mencap were accused of acting 'like the stereotypical 'Karen'' having 'weaponised their privilege and more powerful position against [her]'. 'There is also something very sordid about the way in which white, female management have facilitated racism... [and given] a misogynistic, racist view of the black Complainant.' the grievance said. Regarding the complaint, Judge George Alliott said: 'We note [the use of] the slang term 'Karen', which is a pejorative and borderline racist, sexist and ageist term.' Referring to someone as a Karen began as an internet meme, which was popularised during the Covid-19 pandemic. The stereotype suggests Karens are the kind of woman who demands to 'speak to the manager' to make a complaint and is also associated with excessive use of Facebook. Ms Constance, who describes herself as Black British, started working for Mencap as a support worker for adults with learning disabilities in Harpenden in 2016. In 2021, Claire Wilson took over as the manager of the residential home, which provided individual flats to 11 residents, where she worked. 'Open hostility' The tribunal was told that on her arrival, Ms Wilson faced 'open hostility' from Ms Constance, who 'sighed' at her, responded with one-word answers and on one occasion shouted at her for 'hassling' her while she was busy. The hearing was told the pair clashed on several occasions, with the manager accusing the support worker of having 'blinkers on' and of being 'too loud'. In October that year, Ms Wilson suspended Ms Constance over claims she had bullied residents and staff. Just over a week later, while an investigation was underway, the employee filed a grievance over her treatment. The tribunal heard that in February 2022, the disciplinary process against her was terminated and no action against her was taken. Ms Constance went off sick and in April, she filed another grievance, written on her behalf by a friend. The tribunal heard that over the following months, Mencap repeatedly attempted to hold a meeting about her grievance. But Ms Constance refused to attend. In the end, it was held in her absence in June and dismissed.
BBC News
30-05-2025
- Entertainment
- BBC News
Film swordsman receives honorary degree for his work in the arts
A professional sword master who trains actors and appears in films has been recognised for his work in the Wilkinson, who lives in Harpenden, Hertfordshire, has been made an honorary graduate of the Open University which is based in Milton has performed in films including Henry V starring Kenneth Branagh, and Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves featuring Kevin said the Master of University award was "humbling" and said: "This is the very first time in my career I have been acknowledged." Wilkinson has used his skills in fencing and other weaponry to help him gain an Equity card serves as proof of membership in the trade union for actors and creative practitioners. After discovering he was good at teaching, Wilkinson went on to gain a range of qualifications in coaching, eventually becoming head coach of his fencing 35 years in the business, he has featured in dozens of productions, as well as screenwriting, producing and was a writer, choreographer and director for Golden Swords, a play first performed at London's Globe led the British Academy of Fencing team to victory in the World Artistic Fencing Championships. He is an honorary professor of theatrical fencing for the has also written books on his own life in the industry. Follow Beds, Herts and Bucks news on BBC Sounds, Facebook, Instagram and X.
