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'd be tempted to ask to apologize in front of the whole company and then apologize with a great deal of détails about the whole thing so that everyone can see what a petty dick he is. (I bet if you ask to apologize publicly they'll say no because they have to know how stupid they're going to look).

Rules and laws that are pitting British people against each other. What the hell is this world coming to. I'm glad I'll never set foot in a workplace again.

It's like something out of a dystopian novel.

It doesn't have to be a protected characteristic to be a shitty and non inclusive comment to make

Meanwhile whilst we have these videos at work which many are laughable, rest of us live in the real world where people say similar things.

I think you could make jokes about a sports team at work and that is the defence I have suggested the OP use!

If you're half English, are they accusing you of being racist against yourself?

I'd be tempted to take the next Teams call with a big A.B.E poster visible in the background but would doubtless chicken out.

Yes, good one.

It is a protected characteristic.

This I'd apologise and make the complainer out to be a utter idiot.

Even if it wasn't its a shitty comment to make

👏👏👏

It’s St David’s Day next Wednesday. I would be wearing a daffodil to work in my buttonhole if I were you OP. I might even buy a bunch of them and put them on my desk but I’m petty like that

I apologise that I was drawn into a group discussion about rugby initiated by X on Teams during working hours and that my comment was misinterpreted. I am sure if we all focus on our work during working hours this situation will be avoided in the future.

Does your manager know exactly what was said? I.e. a written transcript or did they approach you based on a nefarious account of you being racist?

Oddly enough if you're both white then this isn't racism, whatever else they might call it.

If I made a sexist comment against women despite being a woman myself I should still be pulled up on it

Or if I made a stupid joke about my hair colour meaning I'm Im dumb it should still be called out

Well it is sometimes (100% English).

It was funny. Some people take themselves so seriously they can’t see harmless banter for what it is. I wouldn’t apologise.

There are some delicate flowers reading this thread.

Yes this is a good apology

The Welsh / English rugby and football banter has been going on for years. I am a Welsh person living in England and I've had my fair share of sheep shagging banter type jokes over the years. Good lord, this person is an absolute twat. I would offer an apology and CC in the entire team / say it publicly to him in front of as many people as possible as I'm 100% sure that he will come off worse off for complaining about this comment. What a joke

Yes I can imagine you do indeed work in the public sector.

Nothing wrong with being a delicate flower

English roses. 🌹

I am a Welsh person living in England and I've had my fair share of sheep shagging banter type jokes over the years that would 100% be called out and shut down in my work place.