Apparently, comparing a coworker to Darth Vader — the iconic villain from the epic sci-fi film series Star Wars — can get you in a lot of trouble. At least that’s what a UK court says in the case of an NHS worker who claimed that being compared to the character caused her to feel unpopular at work. In fact, she was so upset that she ultimately quit her job. Judge Kathryn Ramsden concluded that Lorna Rooke being told she has the same personality type as the infamous villain was a “workplace detriment” that required compensation. The incident that sparked the unusual legal battle began in August 2021, when Rooke and her colleagues at a blood donation center took a Star Wars-themed Myers-Briggs personality questionnaire as part of a team-building exercise. Rooke didn’t take the test because she had to step out to take a personal phone call, but when she returned she discovered that another colleague had filled it out on her behalf and informed her that her personality was associated with Darth Vader. Darth Vader may be a ruthless villain in the Star Wars universe, but in the Myers-Briggs world, his personality is described as “a very focused individual who could bring teams together.” Still, Judge Ramsden ruled that being associated with him was insulting and awarded Rooke ￡28,989.61 ($39,000) in compensation.
