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Here are seven examples of cases where workplace nicknames resulted in discrimination claims against employers.
1. "Gramps": age discrimination
It can be age discrimination to give an employee a nickname that relates to his or her age. Examples include calling an older worker the "old fogey" or calling a younger worker the "stroppy teenager",
The successful age discrimination claim in Dove v Brown & Newirth Ltd is a classic example of an inappropriate, age-related nickname in the workplace.
For years, the claimant was referred to by younger colleagues as "Gramps". While he did not complain at the time, following his dismissal he put the nickname forward as strong evidence that his colleagues had ageist attitudes.
2. "Yoda": age discrimination
The employment tribunal in Nolan v CD Bramall Dealership Ltd t/a Evans Halshaw Motorhouse Worksop held that the employer discriminated against the claimant by making him redundant because he was close to retirement.
In upholding the age discrimination claim, the tribunal highlighted that evidence of age bias included colleagues nicknaming the claimant "Yoda", the character from Star Wars. A key characteristic of Jedi Master Yoda is his extreme age, with Wookieepedia stating that he was 900 years old at the time ofhis death.