Using the wrong name for ethnic minority colleague is racist, says tribunal judge

CALLING an ethnic minority colleague the wrong name could be racial harassment, ruled a tribunal.

- Robert Kellaway

"Misnaming" someone at work can count as unwanted conduct that may violate their dignity, an employment judge said.

And failing to listen to someone who corrects you on name pronunciation may breach equality laws.

The ruling came in the case of a bathroom salesman whose boss called him by the wrong first name four times in a day.

Besmirched

Dana Davies "besmirched" Viveak Taneja, who is British Indian, when he repeatedly misnamed him as "Vikesh", the panel concluded.

The hearing was told Mr Taneja had a "genuine emotion and sensitivity" about his name due to its "significant meaning in Hindi".

The Watford tribunal heard Mr Taneja, 41, became an area sales boss at bathroom fittings supplier Phoenix Whirlpool in June 2021.