Would you report offensive message in a group work chat?

[ChilliPB]

As the title says really. A pretty offensive meme sent as ‘banter’ (not funny and genuinely offensive). It was sent in a group chat - a non-official WhatsApp chat with over 50 people, used for social chat. We have a separate more official group chat for work related stuff.

Options are to pick it up individually with the person (who I don’t know and have never met). Or flag direct to HR. Or flag up to HR but not disclose what was said or who said it and hope they could send a stern but general reminder about behaviour and conduct and the individual wouldn’t actually be identified.

Appreciate its a non-official chat but even so. Really likely to offend some of the members there and also it’s the sort of job where if it came out it would look awful, and I’m worried those that don’t report it could also be in trouble as complicit.

What would you do?!

Well what did it say?

Not going to share it on here.

Then you can't expect people to respond 🙄

If it was anything defined under hate speech I'd report.

It’s a social chat, not sure why HR needs to
be involved?

Nothing to do with work. Your best option is to stay out if it

Screenshot it before its deleted.

Either report it to your manager or HR or whoever, or post on the group that you’re leaving because of it.

If you don’t do either of those I think you will be complicit and accountable based on past experience.

Leave the group chat.

As said if it could be described as hate speech, or if it is dehumanising towards a client group etc, then report. In the case of the MET police messages that came to light, those who didn't report them were also disciplined.

Was it like a police officer sharing a meme about domestic abuse, or more like a shite meme about football that used an offensive word?

It's quite relevant to what a lot of people would do, I suspect.

Yes think it could be defined as hate speech but not sure. I was thinking of the met police case…

I'd just report it directly to HR and they can decide if it falls within their remit. As you say if you don't you are complicit.

I would report it, and I’d tell them I was reporting it and I’d tell HR who it was.

I’m too old for that shit and I wouldn’t give a fuck who knows.

A family member (in law) posted something racist in our family group recently and it’s like something just snapped. She posted it knowing I’m black and that my children who she purports to love are mixed and I told her in no uncertain terms I wasn’t having her shit.

There’s a point where you say ‘enough’ and if the meme is that offensive then you report it and do it bravely and openly.

If it's hate speech then report it. HR can decide on whether to take it further.

No not something that was just using an offensive word.

It was Islamophobic and referenced the recent pager explosions in Lebanon.

Has anyone replied to it in the chat? Could you say something directly to them on there about how offensive it is?

If possibly hate speech then I think you should report. There's a risk to you if you ignore.

Say, 'That's offensive and not funny." and leave the chat group.

Call them out on the chat.
"Fred, that's very offensive."
See what they do.

Respond to the message publicly. I wouldn’t leave the group unless you get 49 thumbs down.

This. Let HR make the decision on whether it's appropriate to act or not, at least your conscience is will be clear.

Not that Roadrunner gag? That's not Islamaphobic. Probably not even offensive.....unless you are Hezbollah

This is wrong. It's a work-related group, and it sounds as if someone has committed race-based harassment, for which the employer could be vicariously liable.

OP just tell HR. They will decide what to do. You don't want to be complicit in this shit.

This is what I would do.