I think I've just been accused of racism at work

[Imlookingatapicture]

Panicking somewhat..

For context I'm the only Welsh person in our London office. Lots of banter around the football World Cup.

Chat started on teams (chat not video) re the 6 nations game tomorrow. Collegue (huge football fan, most vocal in the world cup) said 'I don't care about rugby. I'm half Welsh anyway'

I replied

'Oh I'm half English too. We all have our crosses to bear ;)'

Manager has just emailed me to say collegue above has complained, and it's not acceptable, especially given recent discussions around inclusion and diversity.

It was honestly just a joke, in the same vein as the world cup 'banter'

I know I shouldn't have put it on teams. Maybe context didn't come across.

How much shit am I in?

Are all these millions presumed to have a hive mind, or are they allowed an individual opinion?

If the OP's manager treats it differently because it is about the English rather than Nigerians, then not only has the OP potentially committed harassment, but the manager will have definitely committed direct discrimination.

I'm not sure the Chinese have ever been oppressed.

Wow! That’s scary that that level of sensitivity exists in a grown up working environment. Very snowflakey.

This. People are looking to be offended these days, so unfortunately one has got to be very careful when indulging in a little banter these days. Gotta watch every word you say unless you are talking to someone you know very well and trust. I hope this blows over for you OP.

Oh, she hasn't harassed anybody, ffs. How do some people make it through the bloody day?!

@TreadLight I didn't say they had been.

"I apologise. I thought that {snowflake} and I were friends and was responding in a friendly way. I realise now that we are not friends and shan't make that mistake again."

The OP said absolutely nothing that was disrespectful.

Best not mention crosses either, could upset Christians and/or vampires.
Banter is a tough one, you never know who's going to take offence. Good luck

Say that your comment was regarding the rugby , nothing to do with non rugby topics.

Lol at being English being a 'protected characteristic'. English. Fucking colonial overlords.

@gawditswindy , that's the law, and if you say that in the workplace, you could legitimately be pulled up for it.

First off, it was almost certainly the “as long as we beat the English” meme that caused the issue, not the rest of your comment. It does upset people, and to an extent I can see why. You should perhaps apologise for using the meme, and also using it means you can’t use the defence of “I was only referring to the teams performance” or “I’m half English too”. You did express hatred towards the English.

But secondly, it makes me so bloody angry when people conflate this kind of thing with racism. Genuine racism which has had such a massive impact on so many people for so long. It in NOTHING like racism. I can to an extent understand why the man’s feelings were a little bit hurt by the meme, but to conflate it with racism really implies that HE needs some further training.

Thirdly, I would be suspicious that you might have been set up here OP, with someone goading you to make a remark that they could use in order to get you in trouble. You say the person is very patriotic - I would question if they might be nationalistic, with all the negatives that go along with that.

You think you know your work colleagues but this just shows how you can get it wrong.
Always stay professional and never do "banter " at work or on work nights out.
He's being a prat OP but you've learnt the hard way....Trust no one at work.

Yes, it's ridiculous because racism is about power and inequality. This is just silly.

The worlds gone mad if that is considered racist - good luck.

Whatever her company offers I guess, she said they were big on diversity and inclusion so maybe they have something already. Hard to say as I don't work there!

And besides, OP is only half English. Some of us are fully English and this our burden is TWICE as heavy!

Good God, is this what we've come to? Grown men running off the the manager over a bit of silly banter. Honestly I couldn't work in a place like this. You've done nothing wrong IMO and the guy who reported you is a colossal bellend.

I know she is! I don't think she did anything wrong. She asked 'How much shit am I in?' so I just made a guess about what the response might be to reassure her.

@Redebs

"Yes, it's ridiculous because racism is about power and inequality."

Except in the eyes of the law (Equality Act) where what matters is how the victim feels.

See. Some people just have a massive chip on their shoulder.

She asked how much shit she was in. I suggested how they might respond not what I think. I was trying to reassure her. No need to be so rude. I don't think she did anything wrong.

That’s a separate point. I was responding to posters saying comments about someone’s nationality cannot be racist, which is simply not true. Under our law nationality comes under the protected characteristic of race and the law is absolutely explicit on that.

But yes, for example, a jewish person can be anti-Semitic under the law. and a black person racist and a woman sexist. That should be obvious.

You've misunderstood me. She asked how much shit she was in so I was trying to hazard a guess at their response (it's not my own response, I don't think she did anything wrong)