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The Guardian - UK
The Guardian - UK
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Lola Okolosie

Is calling a woman ‘auntie’ ageist harassment – or a mark of respect? It’s a trickier question than you think

The Listen to your aunties! campaign from DKMS UK, a charity fighting against blood cancer and blood disorders.
The Listen to your aunties! campaign from DKMS UK, a charity fighting against blood cancer and blood disorders. Photograph: DKMS

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 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 in compensation.

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