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?

No, I actually thought we were quite friendly!! Similar 'banter' was thrown around before the footy

If this is the case about the rugby - say this.

Say it was a comment about the rugby and the teams' performances being disappointing.

@RoseslnTheHospital ED&I training would instruct you in appropriate office language and behaviour and ensure you are aware that what is funny to you may be construed differently by someone who does not share your cultural background. The safest thing is to never make a joke about anything or anyone ever and keep your office chat very neutral. Anything that you’d justify as “just banter” is almost certainly not conversation you should be engaging in. There are plenty of neutral topics you could talk about, like what is the best brand of hand sanitiser or whether the new-look corporate branding is effective. You may of course be overcome by boredom but well, that’s the price of progress.

i went on a training course in which we spent about 20 minutes talking about winking and if it is EVER appropriate to wink at someone whilst at work. It was fascinating actually me I will never wink at anyone again after hearing how it triggers some people who have encountered atrocious harassment at work. My winking days are over.

Get a grip! She was being self disparaging.

Crikey. I say this exact phrase about the Welsh/English mixed background.

I wouldn’t give it a second thought tbh.

You are both half English, are you not? What sort of inclusion and diversity directive have you broken? 🤨

No she wasn't she was saying being half English was a cross to bear

The world has gone mad.

It’s ridiculous. They need to grow the fuck up.

Slagging off the english

I bet you're wild craic at a party

I can't wink, so thankfully have never winked inappropriately. I couldn't work in a workplace where you couldn't have normal chit chat without being reprimanded and sent for correctional training.

OP, I'd do what has been suggested by a few people and explain that you were referring to the two rugby teams and their poor performance, not your fellow employee's nationality. Apologise for the misunderstanding. And then never make any comments that aren't about work ever again.

This

Accusations of racism are normally perceived (rightly or wrongly) from the complainant. @MamaCanYouBuyMeABanana is correct and apologise to keep the peace.

How pathetic of your colleague. People would do well to remember that diversity and inclusion efforts have come about because of the real injustice and, yes, exclusion experienced by some groups in society. Being English in England does not count as membership of a group that has experienced injustice and exclusion.

I’d apologise because technically this will be against the policy - since they can’t get into which nationalities, etc., are marginalised - say it didn’t cross your mind this would be taken as anything other than lighthearted humour since you are half English yourself and don’t see this as a marginalised group, but that you now see that it was an error and you won’t repeat it. Be confident when saying this because anyone with any sense knows that you haven’t behaved inappropriately.

And I’d be steering well clear of whoever has reported this in future.

This was in an office not a party.

Maybe also suggest that sporting competitions between nationalities are banned from being discussed in the office.

Oh god I ended it with a winky

Is this a bad thing? Though it was to show it was meant in jest.

Triggering, eh? Some people shouldn't actually be in the workplace at all, they clearly think the big bad world should be just like kindergarten.
And corporate trainers seem to buy into that too, for reasons I've never understood.

Jeez! If I had a pound for every time I’ve heard this joke between Yorkshire folk and Lancastrians!
Just say you were referring to the sporting abilities of the national teams and you won’t do it again.

Nah the winking makes it look more like you're taking the piss out of the English

You were talking about your own heritage.

If that's a problem then you should complain that he was stereotyping Welsh people by indicating he wasn't like everyone else Welsh who likes rugby.

I'd put in a complaint about him stereotyping what it means to be Welsh if you're not allowed to joke about your own heritage.

Seriously, play these idiots at their own game is the only way to get the message across that they're being ridiculous.

I don't think English is a race? Is it a race?

Anyway. Its not inclusionary language either way.

Being English in England does not count as membership of a group that has experienced injustice and exclusion

This. It’s punching up. Makes a mockery of groups who experience genuine exclusion.

Context is key. Make sure your manager sees the whole conversation. If anything further is suggested maybe a say ‘shall I speak to my union rep’ and they’ll probably back away

Bl*dy f**ing hell. Woke has totally destroyed humour, life, society, families, everything.

you have done NOTHING wrong, but they’ll probably remove this post, just like they censored Dahl and are paying people thousands to waft hot air about diversity in the workplace that is meaningless shite.

honestly. I can’t cope. It’s nonsense.

racist is deliberately demeaning someone considered to be racially different to oneself. Telling a Welsh joke is gentle banter. Blinking heck.