Workmen using inappropriate language

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Have workmen in this week. Currently sat upstairs whilst they work downstairs and they've got the radio on. They're replacing the lyrics to the songs with their own which are, vulgar, rude and racist. Not that it matters but I'm mixed race and offended by said language.
WWYD? Would you say something to them and ask them to be more respectful?

I would definitely say something

I would absolutely say something if people were using racist language in my house, yes.

Definitely. If it was just the odd f- word I think I'd suck it up, but racism, etc is not acceptable.

What words are they actually saying?

And if you are there alone with them I'd feel a bit threatened and probably ask them to leave. Can you call someone to come over?

Racist words...doesn't really matter WHAT words they are when they're racist words? 🙄

YANBU. Ask them to stop and if they don't call their employer. If they don't stop tell them to leave. See if you can get someone round to back you up.

I'd wait for them to finish the work first.

I could cope with vulgar or rude but not racist. Phone their employer and report them. I wouldn’t tolerate a racist in my house.

I had my patio laid last year, and was pottering around the garden one day, when the lads got a bit overly exercised, shall we say, and started to mess about, swearing and shouting, with very loud music. I quietly went to the senior chap, and asked that they be more respectful of both myself and my neighbours. He was deeply mortified, and all the lads came to me one by one and apologised, they were very contrite.

We had a racist window fitter...luckily only there for 4 hours. I reported him to the manager and he was sacked.

I’d go downstairs and point out that you can hear every word they’re saying, and tell them it’s not on. Then I’d turn their radio off!

We've has a policy with workmen in OR outside our house of 'strictly no music'. We tell them when we're engaging them to do the work, so that they can refuse the contract if it's a deal breaker for them.

It never has been. Some - especially solo workmen - have opted to bring headphones and listen to their individual devices, which is fine.

I suggest everyone adopts this policy.

I almost kicked my builder out of my house when he was racist towards the electrician of Pakistani descent who wasn't there at the time. Corny as it sounds, I opted to make it a teaching moment, because for some really weird reason, he couldn't get his head around the fact that I, a black woman, might be offended at his casual racism towards another ethnicity, because it wasn't directed at me...

Jesus, yes that's totally not on. I thought you were going to say there was a bit of effing and blinding which personally I'd have let go but racist language is a different ballgame.

As a PP has said you might want to wait for them to finish the job but I'd complain in writing to the company management. I'd also review on checkatrade/rated people and all these job referral sites.

Are they employed/sub-contracted by a firm OP?

Or are they working for themselves?

Either way, in the immediate term I'd go into where they're working, turn off the radio and say "Are you aware that I can hear every single word you're saying while I'm upstairs?" Stand with your arms crossed, wait for an answer. Yes, like a school teacher.
They'll likely say "Didn't realise, sorry about that"
Respond: "I've no problem with the radio being on at all but keep your racism to yourselves"

In the longer term, if they're working for a firm, once they jobs finished, I'd call up the firm and report their behaviour.
If they work for themselves, I'd just make sure you spread word of their behaviour far and wide - anti-recommendations.

@vickyEadieofThigh You are either ignorant or selfish then!
Workmen especially working solo, are encouraged to have the radio on to help their mental health in what is otherwise quite a monotonous and lonely job. No workman should be wearing head phones (unless ear defenders) as not being able to hear is a real risk in this kind of work.

Not acceptable at all. I'd have them out of my house immediately

why?

Is it to assess whether or not it's racist enough for OP to be offended or gaslight the OP into saying no, they didn't mean it?

I've had a lot of experience with builders and tradesmen and my advice is to wait until they've done the work first before saying anything. Also most of them are either self-employed or work in small firms so I'm not sure who you'd report them to.

Neither of your examples. It was a simple interested question of what were they saying. Racism is racism, I wasn't doubting that. Was simply asking a question on an open forum as part of the discussion.

How the fuck is asking what was said considered gaslighting please? OP said vulgar, rude and racist. When I asked what was said I wasn't only referring to the racist comments. I was referring to all 3 types of comment.

Seen that happen, with the job left half done. You then have to find somebody else to complete the work and tradesmen are very reluctant to take on a half-finished job. And if they do, they charge for the whole job plus you'd have to pay the first lot for the work they've already done.