To object to being called Paddy?

[AmberEyes]

A co-worker has taken to calling me Paddy because I am Irish.I find this derogatory and really thought times had changed.I have asked him to stop but he just laughs.
AIBU?

DP moved to England in 1978.
He has lived here since and while he still retains a Scottish accent,his accent is very Anglicised.
Some people STILL call him Jock.
FFS 32 years.

T%here was thread last year where several of us said we didn't like it and it was racist and we were shouted down and told we were being silly so i'd believe it tbh.

British people seem to think it's a jokey expression whereas a lot of Irish actually quite dislike the term.... if that's not racism i don't know what is

My bf is from Belfast, Paddy is a racist term.

My bf is from Belfast, Paddy is a racist term.

Actually, was only looking at a case with very similiar facts last week (am studying for law degree). Cant remember the name but it was in a UK university and one member of staff referred to an Irish member of staff as Paddy.

This was taken to the courts where it was held that this was racist and discrimination and quite a substantial amount of compensation was awarded.

You have every right to complain and have this stopped. Its unacceptable.

Im Irish too and have been called Paddy on numerous occasions (particulary when I visit relatives in Liverpool) and to be honest it doesnt bother me in the least. Each to their own though!!

I am Irish and don't get called paddy but I have had some offensive comments when I worked (as a teacher) from the staff and the pupils. i always called them on it and they apologised. I also find it offensive that lots of people refer to their kids' tantrums as 'paddies'. I don't say anything about it but it does rankle and yes it is racist.

a pal of mine gets called paddy and her names karen it does not bother her at !!

God, I wish you'd all been on the last thread

YANBU unless your name actually is Paddy in which case YABU

I can believe that in a small company they wouldn't know how to deal with this, plus I'm sure they don't want to rock the b

I would object to it depending on the intention. From a colleague complete with little smirk, I would not be happy.

Start calling him Dick and see how he likes it.

Exactly, SGB. DH has just said the same thing.

complain again,it is racist even though you are both white,you are of the Irish race and co worker is of Twat race.

Yanbu,

Im of Romany heritage and I always pull people up for using the term 'pikey'. I find it really offensive.

If you feel that the comments are derogatory you should definitely report them. No one has the right to make you feel like that.

If someone called me Paddy I'd punch them in the face.

Well I wouldn't really, I'd fantasise about it for a minute and then I'd go to HR and not leave until they actually did something.

Is the origin of Paddy for a strop from the term "Paddy" used to refer to an Irish person? (Which, in answer to the OP, is 100% unacceptable whether you are white, black, brown or spotted with all the colours of the Union Jack.) How does that tablate?

Yanbu. It's racist.

I really object to calling people names based on their nationality. E.g. It really got on my nerves when people routinely called Gordon Brown a 'dour Scot'. Him being from north of the border has nothing to do with him being dour. Effectively the term 'Scot' was being used as an insult.

yes, because we are all angry and drunk!

No Blacks
No Irish
No Dogs

Remember?

Actually can totally believe that your employer was v dismissive when you complained. I distinctly remember a few years back there was an employment tribunal decision to the effect that English people are not of different race to Scottish people so couldn't be guilty of racially discriminating against them. It was just a first instance decision though and am pretty sure there has been case law contradicting that since.as the law student posting above said.

Either way, if it wasn't for people like your colleague/ boss there would be no need for employment lawyers. That sort of thing happens all the time, depressingly.

DH is a well-informed employer in this regard. He says go to your employer. Tell them that it is an issue, and if they don't make it stop they will be liable when you sue them.

He suggests your employers take legal advice, who will advise that they will neeed to make this stop. He says there is very clear legislation on this issue look here

the relevant part is this:

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Harassment

You have the right not to be harassed or made fun of at work or in a work-related setting (eg an office party). Harassment means offensive or intimidating behaviour - sexist language or racial abuse, which aims to humiliate, undermine or injure its target or has that effect. (my italics) For example, allowing displays or distribution of sexually explicit material or giving someone a potentially offensive nickname.

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Basically, if you, or anyone who hears it are offended by something someone says, your employer must take it seriously if a complaint is made. Also, if they penalise you for complaining, then it is victimisation and they can be fined for it.

He also says to advise you to make your complaint in writing (keep a copy!) and ask for a response. Basically, if your employer fails to stop this they are condoning the abuse and are opening themselves to a hefty fine.

Buzz, are you answering me? (Want to check before I get the totally wrong end of the stick and fall off the bed in shock at where the term "having a paddy" came from.)

Sadly I do remember no Blacks, no Irish, no dogs, as the once recipient of the phrase "Sorry, members only" when I tried to get into a club.

yes sorry, always forget to say who I'm talking to