Latest news with #HarpendenMencap
New York Post
10 hours ago
- Business
- New York Post
Not OK, Karen! Court loses it when lawyer calls someone ‘Karen' in legal papers: ‘Borderline racist, sexist, and ageist'
You Karen't say that! A British court tore into an attorney who called someone a 'Karen' in papers for a discrimination case — calling the term 'borderline racist, sexist, and ageist,' according to a report. A British employment tribunal judge ruled that Karen is a 'borderline racist, sexist, and ageist,' slang term. Witoon – Sylvia Constance, a 74-year-old black woman, was suing for discrimination after she was axed from a charity company called Harpenden Mencap — but an employment tribunal took issue when the ousted worker's rep used the phrase in court papers, the Independent reported. Attorney Christine Yates argued leadership at the charity — supports adults with learning disabilities — leadership 'acted like stereotypical Karens' — claiming they weaponized their privilege to suspend and fire Constance over 'fictitious claims, the report said. Constance accused the organization of unfair dismissal, racial and age discrimination and of launching a campaign to oust her based on prejudice, the outlet said. Yates alleged that a white, female management team had colluded with white male residents under their care to create a racist and misogynistic smear campaign, the outlet reported. Tribunal judge George Alliot took issue with the use of the term 'Karen' in legal filings. – Tribunal judge George Alliot took issue with Yates's use of the term 'Karen' in legal filings. 'We note Christine Yates uses the slang term 'Karen', which is a pejorative and borderline racist, sexist, and ageist term,' Alliot said. The tribunal ultimately dismissed Constance's claims, siding with the charity for firing her in June 2023 over an 'irretrievable breakdown' of workplace relationships, the outlet reported. Alliot also ruled that the complaints against Constance were 'legitimate,' the outlet said.
Metro
a day ago
- Metro
Calling someone a 'Karen' is 'borderline racist, sexist and ageist', judge says
Labelling someone a 'Karen' is 'borderline racist, sexist and ageist', an employment tribunal has ruled. Charity worker Sylvia Constance claimed she had been unfairly dismissed and subject to racial and ageist discrimination by her employer Harpenden Mencap, an organisation which supports adults with learning disabilities. Ms Constance, 75, was dismissed by Mencap in June 2023, following complaints from colleagues of bullying and intimidation as well as for abusing a resident in her care. However, a letter submitted by the support worker's representative, Christine Yates, raised eyebrows by referring to the organisation's management as acting like 'stereotypical Karens'. In a complaint about her client's treatment she wrote: '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.' She continued: '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.' Employment judge George Alliott described Ms Yates' language in the communication as 'trenchant'. More Trending He labelled the term 'Karen', typically targeted at middle-aged women, as a 'pejorative and borderline racist, sexist and ageist term'. But the tribunal dismissed a claim by Ms Constance that her being told by her line manager she had her 'blinkers on' amounted to abuse or racism. Ms Constance also claimed that her line manager, Claire Wilson, had approached her 'like a lunatic' when she came down two flights of stairs tell her a phone call she was taking outside was too loud. Dismissing all of her claims, Mr Alliot concluded that Ms Constance's treatment by her bosses including her dismissal was 'legitimate' and 'did not constitute a targeted racist campaign against her'. Get in touch with our news team by emailing us at webnews@ For more stories like this, check our news page. MORE: Man stabbed 'caring' mum of two 27 times in 'calculated' attack MORE: What the US Supreme Court ruling means for Donald Trump's birthright citizenship plan MORE: Teenager caught cowering in bushes after stabbing neighbour 51 times
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Yahoo
Calling someone a Karen is 'borderline racist, sexist and ageist'
Calling someone a 'Karen' could be 'borderline racist, sexist and ageist', a tribunal has ruled. An employment tribunal judge has deemed the term which is generally targeted at middle-aged white women to be "pejorative". This ruling came about after the slang term was used in a tribunal taking place at Watford Employment Tribunal. READ MORE: Glastonbury fans say festival is 'robbing them' after seeing price of pints this year READ MORE: Warning as 'tens of millions' of ants set to swarm UK on Flying Ant Day 2025 Sylvia Constance, 74, brought claims forward of unfair dismissal, direct race and age discrimination and victimisation at Watford Employment Tribunal against Harpenden Mencap, a charity which provides support to adults with learning disabilities. Ms Constance, who the tribunal heard is black British, said that she had been targeted because of her race after she had been dismissed from her role on June 13 2023 because of an 'irrevocable breakdown in the relationship' with Mencap. The dismissal came after bosses had previously suspended Ms Constance over claims of "emotional/psychological abuse of a tenant in your care" and "bullying and intimidation of colleagues", the tribunal heard. The use of the slang term 'Karen' arose when Christine Yates, who represented Ms Constance at the tribunal, used the term in a document. The document read: "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 noted the term 'Karen' to be "pejorative". 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 did not uphold Ms Constance's claims, saying that the complaints against Ms Constance were "legitimate" and " did not constitute a targeted racist campaign against her."
Extra.ie
2 days ago
- Extra.ie
Calling someone a 'Karen' is 'borderline racist, sexist and ageist', tribunal suggests
A tribunal has suggested that calling someone a 'Karen' is 'borderline racist, sexist and ageist.' An employment tribunal judge this week said the slang term, typically targeted at middle-aged white women, is 'pejorative.' The statement follows claims of unfair dismissal, direct race and age discrimination and victimisation from 74-year-old Sylvia Constance at Watford Employment Tribunal. A tribunal has suggested that calling someone a 'Karen' is 'borderline racist, sexist and ageist.' Pic: Getty Ms Constance made the claims against Harpenden Mencap, a charity which provides support to adults with learning disabilities. Ms Constance, who is black British, said she was dismissed on June 13, 2023 and was targeted because of her race. She stated this was due to an 'irrevocable breakdown in the relationship' with Mencap. An employment tribunal judge this week said the slang term, typically targeted at middle-aged white women, is 'pejorative.' Pic: Getty Ms Constance had previously been suspended 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 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.' The statement follows claims of unfair dismissal, direct race and age discrimination and victimisation from 74-year-old Sylvia Constance at Watford Employment Tribunal. Pic: Getty Employment judge George Alliott interjected, saying: '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.' Defined by Merriam Webster, a Karen is an 'insulting term for a privileged, indignant, or discriminatory woman.' 'Karen is a slang term used to disparage a stereotypically middle-class, middle-aged white woman who rebukes or reports others in angry, sometimes racist public displays. 'More generally, it is an insult for anyone, though still typically a woman, who shows entitled behavior, especially in the form of outspoken complaints or intrusive criticism. Depending on context, it may be considered sexist.'
The Advertiser
2 days ago
- The Advertiser
Calling someone a Karen 'borderline sexist': tribunal
Calling someone a "Karen" is "borderline racist, sexist and ageist", a British tribunal has ruled. An employment tribunal judge said the slang term, typically targeted at middle-aged white women, was "pejorative". It came as Sylvia Constance, 74, brought claims of unfair dismissal, direct race and age discrimination and victimisation at Watford Employment Tribunal 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 in 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 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 Constance's claims, saying the complaints against Constance were "legitimate" and "did not constitute a targeted racist campaign against her". Calling someone a "Karen" is "borderline racist, sexist and ageist", a British tribunal has ruled. An employment tribunal judge said the slang term, typically targeted at middle-aged white women, was "pejorative". It came as Sylvia Constance, 74, brought claims of unfair dismissal, direct race and age discrimination and victimisation at Watford Employment Tribunal 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 in 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 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 Constance's claims, saying the complaints against Constance were "legitimate" and "did not constitute a targeted racist campaign against her". Calling someone a "Karen" is "borderline racist, sexist and ageist", a British tribunal has ruled. An employment tribunal judge said the slang term, typically targeted at middle-aged white women, was "pejorative". It came as Sylvia Constance, 74, brought claims of unfair dismissal, direct race and age discrimination and victimisation at Watford Employment Tribunal 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 in 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 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 Constance's claims, saying the complaints against Constance were "legitimate" and "did not constitute a targeted racist campaign against her". Calling someone a "Karen" is "borderline racist, sexist and ageist", a British tribunal has ruled. An employment tribunal judge said the slang term, typically targeted at middle-aged white women, was "pejorative". It came as Sylvia Constance, 74, brought claims of unfair dismissal, direct race and age discrimination and victimisation at Watford Employment Tribunal 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 in 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 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 Constance's claims, saying the complaints against Constance were "legitimate" and "did not constitute a targeted racist campaign against her".
