To think it is rude...

[LemonSherbetFancies]

To ask someone if they are on benefits as you see they only work minimum hours?

Yes it's rude. In what context did they ask?

Yes. Everyone knows there's a social stigma to benefits, even in-work benefits

Colleague at work got asked as she only works very part time hours. The person asking seemed to think it was completely ok but I felt really awkward on her behalf. I wouldn't even ask a family member that

I think it's rude to ask anything about a colleague's personal finances.

Nope, not okay and people know it. I never ask people about their money. Whether it's wages, benefits, inheritance, winnings doesn't matter - nobody's business.

Yes, none of their business

It's crass, and very bad mannered
I hope you said something

Incredibly rude yes..noone elses business. Someone once asked me how much benefits i get. Because at the time, i worked 17 hours per week, there was an assumption that people who work around 16 hours per week claim benefits.
Not that it matters, but i wasnt claiming anything, i just said "none".

I think it’s rude to ask about benefits at all.
I’m on benefits, and I hate the stigma to it. This is not where I wanted to be with my life, but right now I haven’t got much choice.

Yes it's incredibly rude to ask about people personal financial information, especially with regards to benefits. Why on earth would they feel entitled to know that?

Colleague should have asked how much money was in that person's bank account.

I bet that person would think that's rude.

Its rude to ask anyone about their finances.

I did take them to one side and said it was inappropriate. People go on benefits for all kinds of reasons and it is nobody's business.

@LemonSherbetFancies

I did take them to one side and said it was inappropriate. People go on benefits for all kinds of reasons and it is nobody's business.

Was the person who was asked, offended? Those sorts of questions really depend on the relationship dynamic between the two people involved.

She looked very upset and put her head down, mumbling something so definitely was not ok with it.

I would report that to HR. Very inappropriate.

@osbertthesyrianhamster

I would report that to HR. Very inappropriate.

Report it to HR?????? What would you say, someone asked me a question I didnt like. FFS

And going crying to HR makes the social stigma worse, you are making it something to be embarrassed about.

If you are entitled to it then take it, thats whats its therefore. If someone asks me I tell them

Yes rude to ask. And pointless to ask, there's no benefit gained from knowing.

I would of made a comment at the person asking if they knew that was a rude question to ask. How awful.

Yes it’s rude as it’s literally no one else’s bloody business what your colleague’s finances look like.

I had to be taken aside at work as a teen to be told not to tell people what I was paid! Even I, in my clueless way, wouldn't have asked about someone else's finances!

Yes it’s rude. It’s nobody’s business.

@osbertthesyrianhamster

I would report that to HR. Very inappropriate.

What? They aren’t your parents who you go telling tales to.

Not sure what they gain from asking but whether or not it’s rude depends on the relationship between the two surely?

I don’t think it’s unreasonable to assume someone doing 16 hours is doing so to qualify for top up benefits. Sixteen hours doesn’t pay adult living costs unless in a very high paid industry.