Is Calling A Woman ‘Auntie’ Ageist Harassment – Or A Mark Of Respect?
By Lola Okolosie It should be uncontroversial to state that what we want to be called – or do not want to be called – should be respected. This simple enough principle is what defined the grievance between NHS (National Health Service) co-workers Ilda Esteves and her colleague Charles Oppong. Last week, an employment tribunal ruled in Esteves’ favour, agreeing she was subjected to harassment from Oppong for his repeated references to her as “auntie”. The healthcare assistant was awarded £1,425 (about N2.6million) in compensation. The tribunal heard that Oppong defended his actions by claiming “auntie” was, in his Ghanaian…
