Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. Flexible and made to last.

Meet the Other Phone.
Flexible and made to last.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

How would you discipline this racist joke from someone you manage

286 replies

davidbrent · 29/01/2017 16:14

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.

OP posts:
BusyBeez99 · 29/01/2017 17:46

I'm struggling to decide if it's stereotyping or racism. I am a bit tolerant of stereotyping particularly where no malice against an individual is intended. This sounds like that, a joke. Maybe instead of anything formal, instead a quiet word to say perhaps next time think before speak and consider others feelings who may not appreciate such comparisons.

SassandPanacheJewelry · 29/01/2017 17:46

I'm half black and I wouldn't be offended. If it were my employee, I would ask them, with a gentle tone, if they thought it was professional and appropriate and let them come to the realisation on their own. It's a joke best left for one's inner circle.

user1471596238 · 29/01/2017 17:50

I'm quite surprised that anyone would think that it's anything other than inappropriate that jokes like that are made in the workplace (at all ideally but certainly not in the workplace). They are the kind of jokes that were made by some comedians back in the 70s but one would have thought that we were a little more enlightened by now. It may well be that the person would not have that they could have caused offence but if people in the office are finding them hilarious then a bit of training in diversity would not be uncalled for IMO.

Chelazla · 29/01/2017 17:51

Sass I think that employs commen sense and also kindness I've a feeling this young lad would be mortified at the issues he's raised

Katy07 · 29/01/2017 17:51

Having a quiet word is still taking it seriously, it just means that you're not throwing your toys out of the pram when a more subtle approach would have the same effect. OP hasn't said that he has a reputation for racist jokes, just that he likes jokes. So he's not making a habit of this. Taking him aside for a quiet word should be sufficient for a first, relatively minor (given the lack of intent behind it) offence. If he then carries on then you increase the severity of the sanction. But if you go all guns blazing now then you've lost the impact of those guns if you need them later.
Think of it like Trump - if he'd taken the approach that people entering the country would be assessed on the current basis and only those who really seemed dodgy would be stopped then it would work. He could then have broadened it slightly as required. Instead he goes all guns blazing and bans anyone who fulfils a broad criteria regardless. Everyone (well, most decent people) think he's a total prat (I'm using the polite version) but if he backs down he looks completely ineffective and loses all respect on principle. Loss all round for him. Softly softly....

BeingMePls · 29/01/2017 17:52

It is absolutely racist. If I was a senior there, I would have made my position clear and worked with HR to issue a formal warning.

Original poster
davidbrent · 29/01/2017 17:55

Thanks for all the replies everyone. Much appreciated. I will speak to him about this on Monday. I'm not going to come down hard on him. Just let him know it's not acceptable or appropriate.

OP posts:
phoenix1973 · 29/01/2017 17:55

🙄🙄🙄🙄🙄🙄🙄🙄🙄

Changednamesorry · 29/01/2017 17:59

I'm sorry to hear you have decided to treat racism with kid gloves so as not to unduly upset the perpetrator.

But not surprised.

Oh well.

ShoesieQ · 29/01/2017 18:00

Actually that's great from DJBaggy - talk to ACAS or EHRC on how to tackle this best.

Years ago when I was in HR I worked for a man who referred to "coloured people". I had to deliver a seminar to the management team to explain why this was an offensive term. Trouble was although I knew it was politcally incorrect I didn't really know why! It took a load of calls before I finally got hold of someone from the (now defunct) Commission for Racial Equality who explained that he wasn't really sure either but it was probably because it stemmed from Apartheid South Africa.

Armed with this I did a short session about racism, the boss was mortified (it seems he thought that term was more polite than "black") and it was sorted.

Good luck!

Changednamesorry · 29/01/2017 18:02

Shoesie..so..great approach.much better than fanning about with "quiet words" and gentle chats. Thank you for taking things seriously when they are serious.

Olympiathequeen · 29/01/2017 18:07

I do think it was racist, but could have been worse, and it doesn't sound as though it was ill intended.

I'd just have a quiet word and point out that someone might find it offensive.

Xmasbaby11 · 29/01/2017 18:07

I think it's racist and I'd be shocked that people laughed. I would take it quite seriously.

Original poster
davidbrent · 29/01/2017 18:13

I agree it was racist but I think he meant it as a joke rather than to be genuinely racist. It was very unwise but I do think he will take my comments on board.

OP posts:
DJBaggySmalls · 29/01/2017 18:16

Its under the radar racism. It doesnt make it ok or less racist because its 'supposed to be a compliment.'
You are supposed to assume he meant athletes, but people claim muggers are all black as well. There are 'jokes' associated with black people, muggers and training shoes that I wont repeat.

flappynewyear · 29/01/2017 18:19

As a side issue I thought that the "blacks run faster" was in reference to slaves running away from their masters? Either way I would be having a word.

Stonewash · 29/01/2017 18:20

I wonder if it was meant to come across as sarcastic/ironic? So he was assuming that of course everyone in the office is anti-racism, and was parodying those who really believe the stereotypes?

Stormwhale · 29/01/2017 18:22

I think it is racist and unacceptable. It brings to my mind the old one "faster than a n***/black man on a rape charge". I don't think it's a weird compliment, I think it is a throw back to vile "jokes" used in the past.

2014newme · 29/01/2017 18:23

I am in hr it would go through the disciplinary process same as everything else. So starting with a verbal or written warning which would be documented in a letter and employee would be sent on any relevant training

NotCitrus · 29/01/2017 18:24

I agree it was racist and he needs speaking to, but it's possible he wasn't even thinking of black people and was thinking that black cars are cooler and go faster, the computers that were the first to be in black some years ago that were considered cool and go faster...

I read it and thought it was a stupid comment but didn't think it was to do with black people until reading pps' comments.

2014newme · 29/01/2017 18:24

In our business it would make no difference that it ws meant "as a joke" 🙄🙄🙄🙄🙄
Ffs

LadyMonicaBaddingham · 29/01/2017 18:25

Racism is still racism, whether it's 'just meant as a joke' Hmm or not... This employee is making racially offensive comments in the workplace and should be pulled up on it straight away. His age should have nothing to do with it.

LadyMonicaBaddingham · 29/01/2017 18:25

Racism is still racism, whether it's 'just meant as a joke' Hmm or not... This employee is making racially offensive comments in the workplace and should be pulled up on it straight away. His age should have nothing to do with it.

2014newme · 29/01/2017 18:26

Of course he wasn't thinking black cars go faster 🙄🙄🙄

Lorelei76 · 29/01/2017 18:26

David, I see you've learned nothing from the thread.