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?

I think a lot of English people feel under attack by constant nationalism from the other nations, especially Scotland. It feels as an English person, we are not allowed to show the George cross flag, although it's better than it was a few years ago. Maybe someone was just a bit more thin skinned?

Apparently it's not racism if you're white though, no matter how much you are denigrated.

Perhaps he's a furry. It might be the 'bear' bit that's upset him. Perhaps he identifies as a cat and you mis-specied him.

I hope you're worrying about nothing OP. If times were different I'd have been tempted to go in all guns blazing, 'how dare they make a mountain out of nothing, etc, etc,' but these days....! Bloody crybullies all over the place.

I think it's best to not speak at all in the office ever again just in case anyone is offended.

Maybe ask for this thread to be deleted OP so you don't get into any more trouble?

Absolute madness. If anyone came to me with this as a complaint I would assume they had misheard and try them to carefully explain to me what they thought ws offensive. And them help them to realise they were being ridiculous.

If they really wanted to uphold it I would have a word with OP to explain the situation and to explain she unfortunately has to remain utterly boring in front of that particular colleague now but make it clear I considered it ludicrous.

They’re having you on, surely? I actually find their accusation offensive to people who really have been subjected to racism.

How bizarre. As someone with a psychology degree, I clearly have a different inference to the word “insanity” which you’re using quite flippantly there. Your radar is off. It’s clearly why you don’t understand that colleagues in the workplace might not take well to what OP posted on her work device in a work group chat. Presumably OP’s manager thinks this is worth having a conversation about so your “real world perspective” is not relevant.

I haven't at any point said it was racist.

I just don't think it is on to make disparaging marks about any nationality, Welsh or English.

They weren’t - they’re both half English, half Welsh. Don’t see the problem because in the context of the banter the remark referred to the rugby team, not the person.

Oh dear have a day off with this.

You are being as pathetic as the complainer about the use of insanity.

This world is fucking ridiculous these days. Sick of it! OP I don’t think you did anything wrong.

I am more than half Irish and more interested in the rugby this year than usual ...

I am Scottish and very much more interested in the rugby this year - so used am I to to being unhappy in pretty much every sporting occasion apart from curling and... I dunno, tennis?

Being English isn't a protected characteristic ffs. I mean, how could it possibly be?

Yanbu. What a load of crap.

OP your comment was funny. He's a tit.

Just shows that you can't trust any of your colleagues!!

For example I've had this woman be super nice to my face all week yet I have it on good authority she's been very bitchy behind my back...

But to report you for such an inoffensive comment @Imlookingatapicture I just wonder does this particular colleague view you as competition - are they after your job?

Watch your back!

As the only Welsh person in the office say that YOU feel picked on. Turn it back on the idiot whinger... and the management for accepting his turn of events without hearing your side of it first.

Your post is bizarre.
How many posters have declared the colleague to be a snowflaky twat? And you finger wag at @Abhannmor, telling her her "her radar is off"?
Don't be daft, ffs.

I would go with this as well. Just say you’re saying the Welsh and English rugby teams aren’t doing well this year!

I can’t see what’s wrong with your comment myself but this approach might make it easier for you. At least you know never to trust this colleague again.

I am genuinely so so so shocked how many people have taken this madness seriously on here. As my last post - expletives abound. Everyone needs to wake the f**k up and get real and just stop this nonsense.

good grief. Truly I am appalled.

OP I apologise vicariously for all the utter brain dead wokesters everywhere woo think there’s a problem.

they're wrong. They don’t just have a different opinion. They’re wrong.

When you're asked about it, make sure you make the point that it was a joke in both directions. That you are pointing out that he had to bear being half Welsh, as well. You weren't putting down Englishness any more than you were humorously putting down your Welshness.

People seem to be conflating different things.

There is racism as discussed at American universities and on Tiktok.

Then there is racial discrimination as defined by the UN convention and the equality act.

Jokes about being English or Welsh fall under the latter and you are not supposed to make them at work where you are paid to do your job, not engage in light hearted banter like you do with your friends on a night out.

At this point I feel I have watched workplace videos on this kind of stuff every year since the dawn of time, and assumed everyone else had too.

She was disparaging her own nationally as well! It was an equal opportunities joke!

Op, you’re the only sane person in this scenario. That is the mildest and most antiracist rejoinder I’ve ever heard. Your colleague and his or her boss are demented.

So @hangonsnoopy you couldn't make any comments about national sporting teams and their relative performances without leaving yourself open to being accused of racial discrimination?

Don’t worry about it. English isn’t even a protected characteristic. This kind of thing is an insult to actual victims of racism.