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Original poster

Racist 'Joke' by colleague

62 replies

ChanedForThisPost · 28/05/2021 21:07

I’ve NC’d for this, just in case…

I work in a public sector organisation. Since the start of covid, we have all been working from home so our ‘Head of’ set up a WhatsApp group for the team. We can’t talk about work specifics but we chat about work things in general terms occasionally, however, mainly it’s for team chat, personal stuff, happy birthdays, etc.

Today one of the women in our team posted an inappropriate joke, it was racist, although some people may not see it as such. What I mean is I’m sure she didn’t mean any harm by it. I didn’t find it funny and messaged her privately to ask her to remove it before anyone else saw it.

I think our ‘Head of’ and some junior colleagues saw it but I’m not sure. She has now deleted the post and left the group - I’m not sure whether it’s due to embarrassment or outrage.

She reports to me and I know she’s going through some problems so I don’t want to add to her burden, however, she’s an adult and should have known better.

I’ll have to discuss this with her on Monday and I’m not sure how to go about it. Generally, when I’m facing something new, I’d ask our senior manager for advice but, if I do on this occasion , I’d have to tell her and I’m not sure if she saw it. If she did, I think she will take it further but I’m not sure what that might look like.

Does anyone have any advice?

OP posts:

JustMarriedAndLovingIt · 28/05/2021 21:18

Without knowing what the joke is it’s difficult to give good advice tbh. Is it just that you find it offensive or would a wider audience find it offensive? Also, whilst work colleagues are in the group it’s not about work and it’s not compulsory to join (I assume) as it’s on WhatsApp.

With that in mind, you could gently say that maybe it’s best not to put things like that just in cause people (you) find it offensive and then leave it at that. Maybe the whole group should agree what’s acceptable and what isn’t?

AlgalDoom · 28/05/2021 21:19

I would be speaking to your HR person.

AlgalDoom · 28/05/2021 21:21

Also, I am assuming you took screenshots of it?

Winkywonkydonkey · 28/05/2021 21:21

If you're public sector and you even vaguely reference work then the chat becomes FOIable afaik so you could say that given that, it's important to remain professional even on the more informal chat platforms like WhatsApp

Shelddd · 28/05/2021 21:23

Sorry don't really have any advice it's so difficult without knowing what it was (i understand why you don't want to share it, not asking) curious what others have to say.

I will say though one time I made a comment about asians (wasn't in UK so asians means Chinese/Koreans/japanese typically in this context) being good at math (which was statistically correct and relevant to the conversation at the time) and my asian coworker was mortified by it. It was a positive thing so I had no idea anyone would be offended by it at the time. I apologized of course. That was 10 years ago, i have never mentioned race in the workplace or to a coworker since then. Its just too risky, she probably hasn't learned that lesson yet.
Race is way more sensitive of a topic right now so it's probably even more important to avoid in workplace.

Original poster

ChanedForThisPost · 28/05/2021 21:27

I don't mean to drip feed, I didn't think the content would matter. I don't think I'm in a minority as I'm offended.

I couldn't screen shot it as it was a sound clip of a person (with an English accent) calling in sick to say they had the Indian variant covid and their accent becomes fake-Indian with Bollywood-style music in the background.

OP posts:

Ostara212 · 28/05/2021 21:28

@ChanedForThisPost

I don't mean to drip feed, I didn't think the content would matter. I don't think I'm in a minority as I'm offended.

Oh lord I'm of Indian origin and I dread being shouted at in the street because of this variant. That joke would have really upset me.

TinyRobins · 28/05/2021 21:30

You should see the comments and messages I get from my boss, massively racist, ableist and homophobic, it’s constant! And I’m gay with a SN child….
He’s the owner though so there is nothing I can do about it 😞

Stichintime · 28/05/2021 21:34

That's definitely racist and disgusting. I would be having stern words with her. Ask her why it was offensive and inapropiate and see what she says. If she doesn't understand why it's wrong take it further.

Original poster

ChanedForThisPost · 28/05/2021 21:34

@TinyRobins

You should see the comments and messages I get from my boss, massively racist, ableist and homophobic, it’s constant! And I’m gay with a SN child…. He’s the owner though so there is nothing I can do about it 😞

Really?!! I thought that a social media group of work colleagues was an extension of the office, therefore, should be kept professional. I can't believe that because he owns the group he gets to be offensive. That's not right! I'd definitely take that to HR

OP posts:

KFleming · 28/05/2021 21:36

@ChanedForThisPost

I don't mean to drip feed, I didn't think the content would matter. I don't think I'm in a minority as I'm offended.

Oh yes I’ve heard that. I didn’t find it funny at all.

TinyRobins · 28/05/2021 21:36

@ChanedForThisPost

Sorry, I mean he’s the company owner. He makes the comments/memes etc by WhatsApp or just verbally

BeenAsFarAsMercyAndGrand · 28/05/2021 21:36

Ok, I would definitely raise that. If that means you have to tell people who didn't originally se it, so be it.

AdelindSchade · 28/05/2021 21:37

Public sector so personal social media can trigger diciplinary action. Get the social media policy out to discuss with her Monday.

Shelddd · 28/05/2021 21:48

@ChanedForThisPost

I don't mean to drip feed, I didn't think the content would matter. I don't think I'm in a minority as I'm offended.

Yeah okay that's quite bad. Definitely inappropriate. Can't believe someone would send that in a WhatsApp group to coworkers. You made it sound in the OP like it wasn't so bad but yeah that's pretty bad.

Shelddd · 28/05/2021 21:49

Especially if someone heard that who had family in India (or even in UK) who died from covid it could be so hurtful.

Original poster

ChanedForThisPost · 28/05/2021 21:50

Are there any senior managers on this thread that could guess what the boss might do?

This woman has made some questionable judgement calls in the past (not racist jokes, just a variety of inappropriate behaviour at work) and the Head of Dept has spoken with her but not escalated anything. I think she might be at the end of her tether though! It's like she never learns her lesson!

OP posts:

Quirrelsotherface · 28/05/2021 21:52

It just sounds so completely uneducated and thick that anyone would possibly find that funny. Uh.

Original poster

ChanedForThisPost · 28/05/2021 21:54

@Shelddd "You made it sound in the OP like it wasn't so bad but yeah that's pretty bad."

I didn't mean to minimise it, sorry. I'm aware what it is. Having said that, I can imagine that she just doesn't 'get it' and some others in the team may not be concerned either!! Our senior manager will definitely 'get it'.

Not that this makes it ok - all white British in the team. She probably thought everyone would take it as a joke

OP posts:

Custardo · 28/05/2021 21:55

whatever advice you get on this thread - as you are working for the public sector - they tend to take this shit seriously so you need to involve hr to cover your own back - her only defence is that you are a cunt of a manager if you think about it - watch your back get hr involved before you speak to her, get it all in writing, take notes of your meetings and forward to her and hr if appropriate

mammmamia · 28/05/2021 21:57

I know the clip you mean, was shared widely in my family (Indian! ) WhatsApp groups, I didn’t find it funny especially given the situation in India right now and I would never expect to see it in a work WhatsApp group - would be taken very seriously at my work.

You definitely need to raise it but I am no expert here, could you speak to your HR?

Original poster

ChanedForThisPost · 28/05/2021 21:58

@Custardo

Thank you.

I don't disagree but do you think there's any chance we can address it within the team and then protect her from disciplinary action? As I say above, she does have personal issues and I'd hate to add to her difficulties (and, yes, I can see she's brought this in herself)

OP posts:

Custardo · 28/05/2021 22:46

i would involve HR - HR in the public sector tend to err on the side of caution ( especially if there is a union in the workplace) and unlikley further action would be taken - but you back is covered. she could very well leave things a month and then make some unfounded allegation against you - say bullying, to cover her back and then quite frankly your screwed. i understand you are sympathetic but remember this is her issue - not yours.
you need to make sure you are covered - as if subsequently she accuses you of something and you 'suddenly' say " this has all come about becuase she was racist" they will ask why you didnt report it

Jaxhog · 28/05/2021 22:56

I've been in your situation. In my case, it was a 'racist' jokey cartoon he accidentally shared.

I had to report it to HR, as at least 5 people had seen it. My staff member actually volunteered to resign, which HR also wanted. I persuaded everyone that he had an otherwise unblemished record so a first written warning was enough.

This was 20 years ago when we were slightly less 'woke' about these things.

Creamdo · 29/05/2021 03:33

How quickly was the content removed? Is it reasonable that others could have seen it?

Personally, I’d cover my back as I wouldn’t want it to be seen as though I was enabling it.

Does your workplace have policies on social media use and discrimination? These may stipulation the process involved.

At the very least I’d speak to HR and ask what the options are and could it be dealt with with 1-2-1 due to her personal difficulties but be fully prepared for HR to be involved as this is a very serious issue and your workplace could be taken to a tribunal and suffer financial (and reputational) harm.

Good luck.

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