Employee Awarded Compensation for Darth Vader Comparison by Colleagues

- A woman working at a blood bank receives 34,000 euros in damages after being compared to Darth Vader by coworkers during a Star Wars-themed personality test.

Employee Receives Compensation for Darth Vader Comparison

An employee at a blood bank, Lorna Rooke, was awarded 34,000 euros in damages after colleagues compared her to Darth Vader during a Star Wars-themed personality test.

Incident Details

During an official personality test at work with a Star Wars theme, a colleague filled in Rooke's test while she was briefly away. Upon her return, she was informed that she resembled the villain Darth Vader, a comparison that was shared with other coworkers.

Legal Ruling

The labor court deemed the woman, later dismissed from her job, rightfully offended by the comparison. The judge in London noted that Darth Vader, known as a 'malevolent ruler heavily masked for breathing,' possesses qualities that would understandably upset the employee.

Intent Behind Comparison

Although the team claimed the Darth Vader comparison was not meant to be unkind, suggesting it represented someone who is 'extremely focused and unites the team,' Rooke found the feedback too confronting, leading her to resign after 18 years at the blood bank.

Compensation Awarded

Rooke was granted a total of 34,000 euros in compensation, with nearly 13,000 euros designated for 'emotional damages' resulting from the incident.