How would you discipline this racist joke from someone you manage

[davidbrent]

This is identifying but I don't care.

So a work colleague was complaining that her computer was running really slow to which another colleague piped up:

'paint it black it will run faster'. Then everyone burst into fits of laughter and it was forgotten. This colleague does like to have a joke at work but it good at the job.

Locality manager didn't seem to have any issues and didn't mention anything. I'm sure it's forgotten within the office. Everyone working here is White British. Luckily a Nigerian colleague was on a visit at the time.

Would you be concerned by this joke. Would you discipline the employee? I would certainly have at least called him into the office but let locality manager take the lead as he was in the room too.

In any half decent team the manager is responsible for their employees actions at work. If the manager hasn't taken action I agree with Want2be that that is much worse than the junior employee making the comment in the first place.

I can't help wondering if the local manager did actually deal with it, quietly and without involving OP.

If he/she didn't then certainly they should face some kind of disciplinary action.

Also - having a team that openly laugh at racism is not on. The manager is responsible for setting the tone and making it clear that kind of thing isn't tolerated.

The BBC article linked upthread is excellent! I didn't doubt the comment was racist, but this explains so clearly why even 'positive' stereotypes are just reductive. Some people on this thread really need to have a read (past the first line!)

www.bbc.co.uk/news/magazine-14679657

Thanks for reposting that Downward - you're right, that really is an excellent article.

Was also wondering how the OP got on today.........?

faithinthesound

Current year still peddling counterproductive struggle sessions?

www.forbes.com/sites/victorlipman/2016/08/01/why-doesnt-diversity-training-work/#959ce0b5cd63

You know who else made a list of wrong thinkers?

Santa

Thanks, it said what I wanted to say but so much better...unfortunately the person I posted it for didn't bother to read more than one line of it, glad someone else did!

It needs a formal warning.

The jokes true implication was to suggest that black peopl are theifs, which is why they run fast, to avoid getting caught.

Not reverse racism!

Oh, bullshit! It's because of the 100m line up at the Olympics!!

It's not though Penelope
It's a tired old racist stereotype.
You are wrong.
Sorry.
Call bullshit if you know what you are talking about.

It's a tired old racist stereotype.

Yes, but nothing to do with "black peopl are theifs [sic]" as FridayNightAddict said.

I don't for a second think anyone should be losing their jobs over it though.

The joke is quite funny. I don't find it racist and I'm mixed race. That wouldn't even enter my radar as being racist.

The joke is quite funny. I don't find it racist and I'm mixed race. That wouldn't even enter my radar as being racist.
Run for your nuclear shelter Wilted (at whatever speed you fancy!!) because the full force of Mumsnet will soon be upon you. I can see it now - plagues of locusts, rivers running red with blood and fire falling from the sky

wiltedflower28

This has nothing to do with you! This is about MNers deciding it was racist on your behalf. Don't you know what's good for you?

Definitely racist and I'm seriously surprised that other people laughed. I'm 100 percent sure that no-one where I work would laugh at this. I think your whole workplace needs some anti-racism/diversity type training!

Tell locality manager you're concerned?

Well, there have been a few embarrassing moments in my time in employment but none of them more so having a word with one of my colleagues about appropriate language in the workplace and how his joke could be taken the wrong way and deemed to be racist. Only to discover said employee is the world's lightest Black person. His Mother is Black!!!! He looks as black as the mixed race Wentworth Miller!

I did still say it's best to not make such jokes but my God. I may have to hide under my duvet when I get home and stay there all weekend!!

I hope all the 'throw the book at him' MNers now come back and admit they were wrong....
Absolutely bloody fabulous!!!!!

It doesn't make any difference who said it if what was said was inappropriate.

It's still racist, OP... Being black doesn't mean he can make a racist comment, just as being female doesn't mean I can make a misogynist comment at work and not expect to be pulled up on it

Being black doesn't mean he can make a racist comment

Middle-aged white women know far more than he does about racism. What an ignorant arsehole!

One of the most racist people I've known was my ex who was Jamaican. Your colour doesn't exempt you from being a racist.

If he's black then I think he's entitled to make an attempt at a humorous joke about black people without white people taking the hump on his behalf

Mmh to me it is more a cliche than being racist...
Like saying Italian people always drink pasta, men like sports & beer, women like shopping. Not true, but I wouldn't be offended by someone making a joke about it - as long as it is clear it is a joke.

The running fast clearly refers to the great athletic results, which is a compliment!
Ok, let's put it this way, I am a French woman, if someone was making a joke about the fact that French women are always fashionable I would take it as a compliment. If they were making a joke about French people smelling, well I wouldn't take it as a compliment but I would still take it as a joke, and definitely wouldn't think they had to be disciplined.

Doesn't matter if you are black, asian, white, middle eastern or native indian. The comment was unacceptable. The fact he thinks it's ok to say something like that because he is identifying himself as black is why he needs some training.

Also, had the locality manager had a word with him already?

There are other colours than black Katy.