Active discussions

Please or to access all these features

Talk
AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Work email regarding football and being mindful of others

35 replies

amismissingsomething · 13/07/2026 16:39

Hr sent an email reminding us that colleagues and customers of our business are from other countries and different nationalities so be mindful and keep professional standards.

It's a bloody football match.

I'm from overseas and supporting England. I'm also the only one in one of ours offices with brown skin and wasn't born in the county.

I feel targeted and want to tell her to shut up

Is this wokeness gone wrong

OP posts:
New posts on this thread. Refresh page
GertrudePerkinsPaperyThing · 13/07/2026 22:38

It does seem unprofessional to me, sorry.

As you say, it’s only football. Yes, you support England, and that’s lovely, but making it your work profile picture is just - not what the workplace is about.

It smacks of “don’t think I’m doing any work this week, I’m focussed on the football” to me. Now, I know that’s not what HR said to you, but it’s what I’d be thinking.

NotAnotherScarf · 13/07/2026 22:33

TY78910 · 13/07/2026 17:46

“Hr sent an email reminding us that colleagues and customers of our business are from other countries and different nationalities so be mindful and keep professional standards.”

Someone obviously complained.

Show quote history

Or they are stupid enough to think that an English person supporting England would offend their colleagues and HR cannot have anyone offended or even mildly put out... plus what else does HR actually do

Jane379 · 13/07/2026 22:28

amismissingsomething · 13/07/2026 18:31

Can I complain about the pride month they support and celebrate when it's against my religion?

What religion? Christianity, I presume?

TY78910 · 13/07/2026 19:40

amismissingsomething · 13/07/2026 19:09

Unprofessional to have a pic of your dog on outlook

Give me a break and pay me more money lol. We work from home and pay invoices.

Edited
Show quote history

You agreed to the terms of your contract including your pay. If you don’t like it, find another job.

Original poster
amismissingsomething · 13/07/2026 19:09

Dweetfidilove · 13/07/2026 18:50

You all sound like an unprofessional bunch of idiots. Can't people just stick to their own pictures (professional sorts) on work profiles? Tank tops, flags, dogs and children should have no place in your work profile.

Unprofessional to have a pic of your dog on outlook

Give me a break and pay me more money lol. We work from home and pay invoices.

OP posts:
Dweetfidilove · 13/07/2026 18:50

You all sound like an unprofessional bunch of idiots. Can't people just stick to their own pictures (professional sorts) on work profiles? Tank tops, flags, dogs and children should have no place in your work profile.

Original poster
amismissingsomething · 13/07/2026 18:43

BMW58 · 13/07/2026 18:42

Lol if the OP complained about the LGBT++++++ flag being displayed he'd be sent off for Diversity Training 🤣

Exactly.

I've just re read the instructions from the HR team and it doesn't even mention customers just staff lol

OP posts:
BMW58 · 13/07/2026 18:42

Lol if the OP complained about the LGBT++++++ flag being displayed he'd be sent off for Diversity Training 🤣

ilovesooty · 13/07/2026 18:38

amismissingsomething · 13/07/2026 18:31

Can I complain about the pride month they support and celebrate when it's against my religion?

Go and say that in the meeting you've been invited to then.

TY78910 · 13/07/2026 18:32

amismissingsomething · 13/07/2026 18:31

Can I complain about the pride month they support and celebrate when it's against my religion?

Oh dear

Original poster
amismissingsomething · 13/07/2026 18:31

Can I complain about the pride month they support and celebrate when it's against my religion?

OP posts:
Original poster
amismissingsomething · 13/07/2026 18:30

TY78910 · 13/07/2026 18:05

On your house, your car, bracelet or t-shirt you’re wearing. Not on a bloody business platform.

Show quote history

Why not? You happy for the LGBT pink blue flag to be flown.... Which I think shouldn't be flown

OP posts:
Original poster
amismissingsomething · 13/07/2026 18:19

Swiftie1878 · 13/07/2026 18:09

Sorry I just think this is nonsense. We are all human. A major global event is taking place.
These things should bring people together, oil the wheels of communication and camaraderie, not bring out the haters.

What sad people there are in this miserable bloody world.

Show quote history

Yes how funny was the Norwegen team

OP posts:
Original poster
amismissingsomething · 13/07/2026 18:19

TY78910 · 13/07/2026 18:14

Not everyone cares about the World Cup. And if there is a smidge of a chance that a business is receiving complains internally or externally about this, they’re well within their right to tell someone to stop.

Show quote history

Complaining about what? The gas man asking if youve watched the world cup. Get a break and instead of being devisie, love a little

OP posts:
TY78910 · 13/07/2026 18:14

Swiftie1878 · 13/07/2026 18:09

Sorry I just think this is nonsense. We are all human. A major global event is taking place.
These things should bring people together, oil the wheels of communication and camaraderie, not bring out the haters.

What sad people there are in this miserable bloody world.

Show quote history

Not everyone cares about the World Cup. And if there is a smidge of a chance that a business is receiving complains internally or externally about this, they’re well within their right to tell someone to stop.

Swiftie1878 · 13/07/2026 18:09

TY78910 · 13/07/2026 18:05

On your house, your car, bracelet or t-shirt you’re wearing. Not on a bloody business platform.

Show quote history

Sorry I just think this is nonsense. We are all human. A major global event is taking place.
These things should bring people together, oil the wheels of communication and camaraderie, not bring out the haters.

What sad people there are in this miserable bloody world.

Original poster
amismissingsomething · 13/07/2026 18:08

TY78910 · 13/07/2026 18:05

‘Naaah it’s the company’ tells me a lot about your maturity levels to be completely honest.

Show quote history

No it doesn't.

Just because you write words doesn't mean it s true.

Also what possible explanation can you give for a customer complaining...

OP posts:
TY78910 · 13/07/2026 18:05

amismissingsomething · 13/07/2026 18:00

Naaah it's the company

Show quote history

‘Naaah it’s the company’ tells me a lot about your maturity levels to be completely honest.

TY78910 · 13/07/2026 18:05

Swiftie1878 · 13/07/2026 17:56

Then they should be told that context is everything and it’s natural to fly your colours during a World Cup. It’s a them
problem, not the OP’s.

Show quote history

On your house, your car, bracelet or t-shirt you’re wearing. Not on a bloody business platform.

Original poster
amismissingsomething · 13/07/2026 18:00

TY78910 · 13/07/2026 17:46

“Hr sent an email reminding us that colleagues and customers of our business are from other countries and different nationalities so be mindful and keep professional standards.”

Someone obviously complained.

Show quote history

Naaah it's the company

OP posts:
Swiftie1878 · 13/07/2026 17:56

TY78910 · 13/07/2026 17:46

“Hr sent an email reminding us that colleagues and customers of our business are from other countries and different nationalities so be mindful and keep professional standards.”

Someone obviously complained.

Show quote history

Then they should be told that context is everything and it’s natural to fly your colours during a World Cup. It’s a them
problem, not the OP’s.

TY78910 · 13/07/2026 17:46

Swiftie1878 · 13/07/2026 17:42

Oh please! Stop with this nonsense. It’s the bloody World Cup. England are in the semi-final, and we live in England. We’re allowed to show our colours. Context is EVERYTHING.

Show quote history

“Hr sent an email reminding us that colleagues and customers of our business are from other countries and different nationalities so be mindful and keep professional standards.”

Someone obviously complained.

Swiftie1878 · 13/07/2026 17:42

TY78910 · 13/07/2026 17:38

No it isnt. A flag to people who don’t watch football can have very different connotations. Just because it means one thing you - doesn’t mean external parties will receive it that way.

Show quote history

Oh please! Stop with this nonsense. It’s the bloody World Cup. England are in the semi-final, and we live in England. We’re allowed to show our colours. Context is EVERYTHING.

Original poster
amismissingsomething · 13/07/2026 17:41

TY78910 · 13/07/2026 17:38

No it isnt. A flag to people who don’t watch football can have very different connotations. Just because it means one thing you - doesn’t mean external parties will receive it that way.

Show quote history

External parties don't see your outlook picture

OP posts:
TY78910 · 13/07/2026 17:38

amismissingsomething · 13/07/2026 17:31

Same as why my manager has a picture of their dog or the director has him and his son.... Because it's a flag and it's football world cup.

Come on England.

Show quote history

No it isnt. A flag to people who don’t watch football can have very different connotations. Just because it means one thing you - doesn’t mean external parties will receive it that way.