'Pejorative' | Calling someone a 'Karen' is 'borderline racist, sexist & ageist', tribunal judge says

Calling someone a “Karen” is “borderline racist, sexist and ageist”, a tribunal judge has said, describing the slang term as “pejorative” and inappropriate in legal proceedings.

The remark - a stereotype of an antagonistic, middle-aged white woman - was made during the case of Sylvia Constance, a 74-year-old Black British support worker who brought claims of unfair dismissal, direct race and age discrimination, and victimisation against Harpenden Mencap, a charity providing services for adults with learning disabilities.

Constance, who had worked for the charity since 2016, was suspended in October 2021 over allegations of “emotional/psychological abuse of a tenant in your care” and “bullying and intimidation of colleagues”.

She denied the allegations and claimed they were motivated by racial bias and a desire to push her out. She remained on long-term sick leave and was eventually dismissed in June 2023 due to what the charity described as an “irrevocable breakdown in the relationship”.