London, Apr 8: An Indian-origin healthcare assistant, Ilda Esteves, won a harassment claim against the UK’s NHS after a Ghanaian nurse repeatedly called her “auntie,” with Watford Employment Tribunal awarding her £1,425.15 in damages for age and sex-based harassment.
The tribunal found staff nurse Charles Oppong created an offensive environment despite “auntie” being respectful in Ghanaian culture, noting his comments as an “offensive attempt at humour” made in office, corridor, and handover settings over June-September 2023.
Esteves, 61, had asked to be addressed by her first name, and the panel rejected her race and other claims but upheld that the unwanted term violated her dignity. The NHS Trust must pay for “injury to feelings,” with no anonymity granted due to public interest.
