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.

Formal warning. Verbal or written. And strong word with ALL staff as it seems strange to me that everyone burst into fits of laughter. I can honestly say that such a "joke" would be met with uncomfortable silence where I work....and a few of us would outright say "that's racist" "that's unacceptable". Where do you work, 1955??
By the way....the Nigerian employee being away was not lucky. Do you think they feel better about racist jokes made behind their backs? FFS.

Totally don't get this...paint it black? the colour of the computer makes no difference to how fast it runs....what a dick of a comment to make....if I heard that comment I would be confused as to what the point of the comment was...my gut instinct is he was being racist ...but I don't understand the comment..

Disciplinary for racist comment.

It's still racist even if you think you're being positive. As it is, comments about running speed are usually not particularly positive at all. Often they're followed up with "because they're always running from the police ha ha ha" or "because they have to run from lions in the jungle ha ha ha". It doesn't come from a place of compliments. And besides, people who genuinely offer compliments do without being racist. And objectifying others.

Shocking. As a black woman who has worked my way up the ladder, virtually to the top with the result that I am now in the top 1% of earners, it is shameful that anyone should listen to a comment like that in the workplace. I would be taking that to the appropriate people and making an official complaint.

I do think the person who said the comment needs taking to task over it...racism should always be challenged.

A reference to black sprinters, sportsmen, runners etc, Snake.

Okay....but white people run,black people run .

I wouldn't be worried about a stupid joke - there's always one asshole in a group...but I would be EXTREMELY CONCERNED EVERYONE LAUGHED! I must live in a a very sheltered world, because that sort of "joke" would get a lot of sharp Intakes of breath, open jaws, and maybe a muted "wooooow" as a response any workplace I've been in.

You need to do something about your team/department thinking this is "ok" in your firm.

Slimmingsnake are you being deliberately obtuse?

It is racist, and this would be taken incredibly seriously where I work. If I were the manager, I'd immediately point out how inappropriate it was, then get straight on to my manager and HR. There would be an investigation, and it may well come under gross misconduct and result in firing. At the very least there would be a performance management plan of some kind and a written warning.

Hate to say that I worked in an office where each person had 3 computers, 2 monitors and a switch box...the black computers were newer and quicker, the old white desktops, still in the process of being phased out, were old and decrepit...its so easy to jump to conclusions, and the Thought Police amongst us are getting out of hand these days. Did anyone ever read the whole of the novel 1984 at school ??

The comment is clearly racist...the person saying it is clearly racist...I would know it was racist if I heard it...cant belive a manager has got invoved

Surely Trollspoopglitter was being sarcastic ? ...or please quote my username.....12 times

Changed name....no.not at all....

Givemestrength.....pretty sure that if OP worked in an office with newer computers that were black then everyone would have made the connection. Racist apologism and the "oooh you can't say anything these days" attitude is why these things persist.

Of course she wasn't being sarcastic, give me strength. It was a racist comment, and the fact that you're arguing that it wasn't is pretty unbelievable.

Fair enough snake....was just the white people run, black people run comment. I thought it was odd. Sorry if I was hasty.

It's a stereotype. Personally I wouldn't feel comfortable with it.

cant belive a manager has got invoved

Why wouldn't a manager get involved with racism in the workplace?

Hasn't ,hasn't hasnt hasn't ...got involved..just noticed I missed out hasnt

Thanks everyone. My guy instinct was right. He's a young employee so I think I was being unduly lenient on him.

I am not remotely racist, which, I know is the racist's mantra.... But I don't think it's racist. I think as two of the most well loved, celebrated and successful runners (farrago and bolt) in the world are black, it was probably just a nod to that. If a stereotype he probably thought it was a nice one. You're alway better steering clear of this In work place I think.

It's almost reverse racism isn't it?

No, its the regular kind of racism.

No I'm sorry ,changed name...clearly it was meant as a racist comment..but I don't understand how...the comment about running was almost a compliment...or was a compliment..like he was saying black people run faster....so he was running down white people,saying the white computer was slower....

slimming snake, that makes more sense.

I was trying to work out how it was possible to justify knowing it was racist but thinking it was fine to ignore.