Racism at work

[NCforobviousreasonsok]

I'm interested to know peoples take on this.
A colleague used an offensive word (go it letter beginning with a p) to describe a type of place. They seem somewhat remorseful but it's still wrong.

It's being dealt with formally, but I want to know how you would expect this to be dealt with at your workplace? It's upset a few people and rightly so - I'm just debating if it's a sackable offence or warning and if so, how severe?

i wouldn’t hope no one would be sacked for a single offence

Probably a written warning. Kept open for 18 months before being spent.

@Sisterdeloris of what severity?

Severity? They dont take you outside and give you a kicking! Its just a formal written warning that sits on your HR file for 18 months, so if you do any other disciplinary breaches in that time then they will take that previous indiscretion into account.

@Sisterdeloris as in a final warning or a first?

It will depend on individual work place policies surely?

I was once ask by a colleague if I “lived above a p**i shop” they were suspended to investigate and eventually fired.

Was it something along the lines of “I’m going to the P shop?” … it was common parlance round here in the 70s / early 80s … but it was left behind then. Anyone knows it’s offensive, and quite right they should be sanctioned.

I’d expect an investigation, potentially with a disciplinary outcome as a sanction, with EDI training additionally.

I wouldn’t expect dismissal, as an outcome unless there had been previous issues in the EDI space.

I’d say there would be a formal investigation and most likely a written warning, but that would be for the decision maker to decide based on exact circumstances (eg is it an isolated incident)

@Simonjt were they first for that was it first time offender?

@ExtraOnions along those lines yes

I have no idea what offensive work begins with a P and describes a type of place. Am I being obtuse or could the person genuinely have been unaware its offensive?

However I think a written warning and mandatory training would be sufficient.

If it was used about a place (i.e. a shop which I presume was the reference) I would expect a written warning. If directed at a person, I'd expect them to be fired.

No experience though.

Read the thread.

@CelesteCunningham I think I agree. Would you expect a final warning in that scenario?

I'd already started writing the post before those popped up, I realised once I saw the updates what it was.

I still think a written warning with edi training for describing it as a place is sufficient. If they used the word towards a person then I'd expect a much stronger response - whether that be suspension or dismissal.

No idea. Would likely depend who heard,was it internal or did customers hear? Could be a written or could be a full and final written. All depends on the investigation, if it was said with malice etc which it doesnt sound like it was.

Severity of warning could well come down to how the person reacts to the situation.

Genuinely sorry, willing to apologise and attend training could be a first warning.

Defensiveness and deflection could result in a final warning, however.

All would be documented and saved to the person’s personnel file.

@Sisterdeloris it wasn't said with malice but was in front of quite a few people - some who personally took offence. They then repeated it after being told not to and although they definately seem sorry I still think they also think 'it's just a word' type mentality so it's a bit of both.

I think the sorry was down to the reaction as opposed to a true understanding of why it's wrong to use it

Was it you who said it by any chance

1984

Yes, it was commonly used up until the 80's but obviously died out. Not a word anyone should be using at work but I think it'll still get used today by the older generation who probably dont see it as bad as the younger generation. Whoever it is, and maybe it is the OP, I seriously doubt its a sackable offence.

That was probably the year in which using that term was last considered socially acceptable, yes.

@bliegreenred it is wasn't!! I appreciate I've made it sound like it's me in disguise but it honestly wasn't!!

First offence at work, unlikely first racist offence from them. The workplace had zero tolerance where racist abuse was concerned.