Called auntie by a co-worker, Indian-origin NHS worker in UK wins £1,425 payout

An Indian-origin woman in the UK serving as a healthcare assistant with the Health Service (NHS), has received £1,425 (Rs 1.77 lakh) as remuneration after being called an "auntie" by a colleague, reported the UK-based news outlet, The Independent.

Ilda Esteves, a 64-year-old healthcare employee, had been a part of the West London NHS Trust as a healthcare assistant in the Women’s Forensic Services department since September 2022.

According to Esteves, she had been called "auntie" multiple times by her colleague and team leader, Charles Oppong, who was based at St Bernard's hospital, part of the West London NHS Trust headquarters. This continued despite Esteves having made multiple requests to use her proper name instead. Oppong had justified his actions by explaining the values of Ghanaian culture, claiming that the word "auntie" is used to respect older women as well as a signal of good manners.

In June 2023, Charles Oppong commented on Esteves choice of lipstick, saying that she would be a good match for a member of staff named George.

In September 2023, Esteves formally complained about Oppong's conduct through an email expressing her concern.

According to The Independent report, she had complained that "A staff member called me 'auntie' multiple times despite me telling him to call me by my name." According to Esteves' complaint, on asking Oppong to use her proper name, he reacted by saying that "You want to be young then!"

Esteves subsequently filed a harassment claim against the NHS with the Employment Tribunal (a judicial body with responsibility for workplace justice, being the main forum for deciding disputes between workers and employers). She asserted that she had indeed been subjected to harassment on the basis of her age and sex.

While Oppong admitted to the tribunal of having called Esteves "auntie" on at least one occasion, he argued that the word is used as a mark of high respect in Ghanaian culture, which he belongs to.

Employment Judge Alliott acknowledged that the term "auntie" is considered a term of respect for older people in Ghanaian culture. However, he made it clear that once Esteves had objected, continuing to use the term became unacceptable. "Nevertheless, since it was against her wishes, it would have been offensive to her," the judge was quoted as stating by the Independent.

On Oppong claiming that "a George" would be a good match for Esteves, Judge Alliott said, "He was reluctant to acknowledge that there was a George working in his ward... He claimed not to know George's age and would not give an estimate. He did not remember how many shifts he may have worked with Ms Esteves. We found him evasive and vague".

The tribunal accepted that Esteves' feelings were genuinely hurt and ruled that Charles Oppong, as team leader, should never have made such remarks. The judge emphasised that the comments related directly to her age and sex.

He added that the repeated remarks amounted to unwanted conduct. "The comments made in the office, corridors and during handovers, created an offensive working environment," the judge noted. Consequently, Esteves' claim of harassment succeeded.

Esteves was then awarded £1,425 (Rs 1.77 lakh) as remuneration.

- Ends