Latest news with #Mencap
Daily Mail
7 hours ago
- Daily Mail
Calling a middle-aged white woman a 'Karen' is a 'borderline racist, sexist and ageist slur', employment tribunal says
Calling a middle-aged white woman a 'Karen' is 'borderline racist, sexist and ageist', an employment tribunal has found. The term – used to describe a female who is perceived as entitled or excessively demanding – is 'pejorative', a judge said. The ruling came in the case of black charity worker Sylvia Constance, 74, who accused her bosses of targeting her because of her race and age. In a complaint written on her behalf, female managers at Mencap were said to have acted like the stereotypical 'Karen', having 'weaponised their privilege and more powerful position against [her]'. But employment 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 popularised during Covid. It suggests 'Karens' are the kind of women who demand to 'speak to the manager' to complain, and is also associated with excessive use of Facebook, being anti-vaccination and even a blonde bob haircut. The hearing in Watford was told Ms Constance joined Mencap as a support worker in Harpenden, Hertfordshire, in 2016. In 2021, Claire Wilson took over as boss of the residential home where she worked and faced 'open hostility' from Ms Constance. In October that year, Ms Wilson suspended Ms Constance over claims she had bullied residents and staff. A week later, the employee filed a grievance. The tribunal heard that in February 2022, the disciplinary process against her was terminated with no action taken. Ms Constance went off sick, and in April filed another grievance, written on her behalf by friend Christine Yates. The tribunal heard that Mencap repeatedly tried to hold a meeting into her grievance. Ms Constance refused to attend, and it was held in her absence in June. The grievance was dismissed. A year later, during which time she had not returned to work, she was sacked due to 'an irrevocable breakdown in the relationship' with Mencap. Ms Constance sued the charity for unfair dismissal, race and age discrimination and victimisation. However, all her claims were dismissed. The judge said: 'We find that the complaints levelled against [Ms Constance] were legitimate and did not constitute a targeted racist campaign against her.'
Times
14 hours ago
- Times
Calling white middle-aged women Karen ‘borders on racism'
Describing a middle-aged white woman as a 'Karen' is borderline unlawful, a judge has said amid a bitter row at a mental health charity. The slang term, used increasingly since the pandemic, refers to middle-aged white women who angrily rebuke those they view as socially inferior. Sitting in an employment tribunal, a judge has now said that the term is pejorative because it implies the woman is excessively and unreasonably demanding. Use of the term started as an internet meme. It is also associated with excessive use of Facebook, opposition to vaccinations and having a blonde bob haircut. Judge George Alliott made his remarks in a ruling on a claim brought by Sylvia Constance, a 74-year-old black charity worker who has accused bosses of targeting her because of her race and age. In what was described at a tribunal hearing in Watford as a 'trenchant' complaint, female managers at Mencap were accused of acting 'like the stereotypical Karen' by having 'weaponised their privilege and more powerful position' against Constance. '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. Alliott said the tribunal noted that Karen was 'a pejorative and borderline racist, sexist and ageist term'. Constance, who described herself as black British, joined the charity as a support worker for adults with learning disabilities in Harpenden, Hertfordshire, in 2016. She was based at a residential home that provided individual flats to 11 residents. Five years later, Claire Wilson took over as manager. The tribunal heard that on her arrival Wilson faced 'open hostility' from Constance, who 'sighed' at her, responded with one-word answers and on one occasion shouted at Wilson for 'hassling' her. The pair clashed on several occasions. The manager accused Constance of having 'blinkers on' and being 'too loud'. Wilson suspended Constance in 2021 over claims she had bullied residents and staff. A week later, while an investigation was under way, Constance filed a grievance. By the next year, Mencap managers had dropped the disciplinary process and took no action against Constance. Constance then went on sick leave and filed another grievance, written on her behalf by her friend, Christine Yates. 'The language used by Christine Yates in the document is trenchant,' the tribunal said, citing the reference to the term 'Karen'. The complaint went on to say that 'despite being reinstated', Constance had 'a significant loss of trust and confidence in Harpenden Mencap's current management structure'. It alleged that there was 'clearly a hostile environment for black staff' at the home, which made it 'unsafe' for Constance 'to return to face further victimisation'. The tribunal heard that over subsequent months managers repeatedly attempted to arrange a meeting to discuss the grievance with Constance. However, she refused to attend. A meeting was held in her absence and the grievance was rejected. Constance had failed to return to work after a year and was sacked because of 'an irrevocable breakdown in the relationship' with her bosses. That prompted legal proceedings for unfair dismissal, race and age discrimination and victimisation. The judge has now dismissed all the claims against the charity, saying that there was 'no suggestion that any of the actions of Claire Wilson were prompted by a racist sentiment'.
Telegraph
15 hours 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.
The Independent
19 hours ago
- Business
- The Independent
Starmer's ‘cruel' welfare cuts must be voted down despite concessions, say charities
Hundreds of charities and campaigners have urged MPs to continue to oppose Sir Keir Starmer's welfare cuts despite a late night climbdown from Downing Street, arguing the concessions are a 'desperate attempt to rush through a disastrous piece of legislation'. It comes after the government offered Labour rebels a series of concessions in an effort to head off the prime minister's first major Commons defeat since coming to power. Some 126 Labour backbenchers had signed an amendment that would halt the Universal Credit and Personal Independence Payment Bill in its tracks when it faces its first Commons hurdle on 1 July. Rebels now believe the compromises on offer, which include protecting Personal Independence Payments (PIP) for all existing claimants, will be enough to win over a majority. But charities and campaign groups have slapped down the offer, warning the cuts will entrench poverty and create a two-tier benefits system. Disability charity Mencap warned that the changes will create a 'generational divide in the quality of life for people with a learning disability'. 'Cutting disability benefits is not a fair way to mend the black hole in the public purse,' executive director Jackie O'Sullivan said. Amnesty International warned that the new reforms continue to 'fail on human rights checks', dubbing the concessions 'nothing more than a superficial attempt to get MPs to vote through this cruel and harmful piece of legislation.' 'It will deepen poverty, entrench discrimination, and create a two-tier welfare system that cannot be justified under any circumstances', the organisation said. 'Freezing or cutting benefits for new claimants doesn't prevent poverty, it pushes more people into it, while entrenching income inequality across generations. 'These proposals are not human rights compliant. They are being rushed through without proper scrutiny, transparency or engagement with those who stand to lose the most. 'We urge MPs to stand firm against a Bill that continues to discriminate, harm, and marginalise.' The Disability Benefits Consortium (DBC), a coalition of over 100 disability charities including Scope, the MS Society and Parkinson's UK, echoed Amnesty's remarks - saying the 'supposed 'concessions' to the cuts bill are just a desperate attempt to rush through a disastrous piece of legislation'. They warned the government is 'betraying the next generation of disabled people' by 'pushing the cuts onto future claimants'. 'Why should someone who needs support to wash in 2025 be entitled to PIP, but not someone who has the same needs in 2035? 'If the bill passes in its revised form, it will still push more people into poverty and worsen people's health. We urge MPs to use their power to stop this impending disaster. The bill must be stopped in its tracks.' Meanwhile, Helen Barnard, Trussell's director of policy, said the proposals 'still present a bleak future for future claimants'. While the concessions were welcomed, she warned they still risk 'placing the government's commitments to end the need for emergency food and tackle poverty in serious jeopardy. 'Being disabled isn't a choice. Our fears remain the same, and key MP concerns still remain to be addressed.' 'We urge MPs who stood against the bill to continue to do so, and protect the people these changes will affect in the near future', she added. And the Joseph Rowntree Foundation said new disabled claimants 'will continue to be pushed into deep hardship by these cuts, which should be opposed'. While they said the government has 'listened, grasped the severity of the impact and taken some mitigating actions', the organisation warned that bill overall must 'offer the right support to those who need it without subjecting disabled people to further hardship'. 'At the moment that is not the case for people who may need support in the future', they said. Meanwhile mental health charity Mind said the bill 'remains fatally flawed'. 'If current protections are right for disabled people now, why are they not right for disabled people in the future?' executive director Jemima Olchawski said. The reforms also attracted criticism from Tory leader Kemi Badenoch, who dubbed them the 'worst of all worlds". Speaking to reporters on a visit to Essex, she said: "I think we're seeing a government that is floundering, a government that is no longer in control despite having a huge majority. "I don't see how they're going to be able to deliver any of the things they promised if they can't do something as basic as reducing an increase in spending." Mrs Badenoch added: "What they're doing now with this U-turn is creating a two-tier system ... this is the worst of all worlds." The government's original package had restricted eligibility for PIP, the main disability payment in England, and cut the health-related element of Universal Credit, saying this would save around £5bn a year by 2030. Now, the changes to PIP eligibility will be implemented in November 2026 and apply to new claimants only while all existing recipients of the health element of Universal Credit will have their incomes protected in real terms. Work and Pensions Secretary Liz Kendall confirmed the U-turn in a letter to MPs late on Thursday night, along with plans for a review of the PIP assessment to be led by disabilities minister Sir Stephen Timms and 'co-produced' with disabled people. While the revised bill is now expected to pass through the Commons on Tuesday, it is understood that a number of Labour MPs are still planning to vote against it, believing that the adjustments don't go far enough to mitigate their concerns. Dame Meg Hillier, one of the leading rebel voices, described the concessions as 'a good deal' involving 'massive changes' to protect vulnerable people and involve disability people in the design of future reforms. She said: 'It's encouraging that we have reached what I believe is a workable compromise that will protect disabled people and support people back into work while ensuring the welfare system can be meaningfully reformed.' A Number 10 spokesperson said: 'We have listened to MPs who support the principle of reform but are worried about the pace of change for those already supported by the system. 'This package will preserve the social security system for those who need it by putting it on a sustainable footing, provide dignity for those unable to work, supports those who can and reduce anxiety for those currently in the system.'
Finextra
5 days ago
- Business
- Finextra
CI&T delivers prototype app for Project Nemo
CI&T, an AI and tech acceleration partner, has today announced Nemo, Art of the Possible — a groundbreaking prototype of a financial app created in collaboration with Project Nemo, the not-for-profit grassroots initiative driving to improve disability inclusion in the fintech and financial services industries. 0 Nemo was designed to support any adult with a learning disability in managing their finances more independently and safely. The prototype is a direct response to the Project Nemo report, Safe Spending for Adults with a Learning Disability, published earlier in June, developed by Firefish, sponsored by Nationwide and commissioned by Project Nemo, with support from Mencap and Dosh. The report exposed a stark reality: 38% of people with learning disabilities need ongoing help with everyday spending, and 32% do not have a bank account in their own name. It also highlighted how complex banking processes, inaccessible tools, and a lack of personalised support leave many financially excluded and at risk. CI&T's team engaged directly with individuals with lived experience — people with learning disabilities, carers, and accessibility experts — to design an app that addresses these challenges head-on. For the first time, this community has had a direct voice at the design table—an opportunity to share their needs and perspectives with the financial services industry. This marks a significant shift from the past, when individuals with learning disabilities had little choice but to accept what was offered. Now, their input provides valuable, practical insights that can help shape more inclusive and responsive banking services. In only six weeks, CI&T created Nemo, leveraging CI&T's enterprise-ready AI platform CI&T FLOW. Built with accessibility and ease of use as core principles, Nemo is a highly adaptive, inclusive digital product that empowers users to take control of their financial lives, while still allowing for trusted support where needed. While primarily designed for adults with learning disabilities, its advanced features and versatile configurability also significantly benefit neurodiverse individuals and anyone seeking greater confidence and support in managing their finances. Some of these features include: Supported decision-making: Users maintain complete control of their accounts; supporters can view and offer encouragement, but never act without explicit permission. Personalised onboarding: The app adapts to each user's confidence, habits, and accessibility needs. Calm mode: Reduces sensory overload and simplifies the interface during stressful moments. Emergency pot: A protected fund for unexpected needs, with optional spending locks and supporter assistance. Supporter Oversight: Trusted third parties receive real-time alerts and offer support while users remain in control. Learning over time: The app evolves with users, gradually unlocking more features as confidence grows. 'The path to true innovation is paved with diversity, accessibility, and inclusion,' said Solange Sobral, EVP & Partner at CI&T. 'This project truly reflects the Art of the Possible, and we hope it serves as a catalyst for financial institutions to lead the way in evolving digital products to be more inclusive. We're proud to partner with Project Nemo to build a solution that gives individuals with learning disabilities greater financial autonomy.' 'I'm incredibly thankful to the CI&T team for not only pulling this together so quickly, but also with such remarkable care, attention, and quality. This combination is rare and a true testament to a team and culture that performs exceptionally while engaging thoughtfully through the entire process. Seeing something so powerful created, something the community can now truly touch and interact with, is a profound way of giving voice to their needs.' said Joanne Dewar, Founder of Project Nemo. Some of the individuals with firsthand experience who collaborated on the prototype's development included Kris Foster, Co-Founder of Project Nemo and George Webster, a BAFTA-winning actor and presenter known from CBeebies and Mencap. Webster is featured in the prototype and presents in-app video explanations, such as for Terms and Conditions, to make them easier to understand. The app is not only a practical tool, but also a statement of intent. It demonstrates how the financial sector can and should evolve to serve everyone, not just those who fit the standard mould. It also shows that inclusive innovation doesn't require compromise, only the will to involve those most affected from the start. The launch marks a milestone in the movement for financial accessibility, a practical, purpose-driven solution that turns research into action and empowers a community that has waited too long to be included. With this launch, CI&T and Project Nemo are driving toward a more equitable financial future where independence and inclusion are within reach for everyone.
