To think this isn’t appropriate work conversation?

[AllIDoIsFloat]

Sat at work and on my lunch break while two colleagues discuss that they are anti-LGBT. In its entirety. They believe lesbians and gay people are going against “gods will” and that trans people are just mentally unwell and the surgery should be illegal.

Now I’m somewhat gender critical myself but certainly don’t believe that the surgery should be illegal. And in any event, I don’t think it’s appropriate for work? They don’t know what other people are going through, how they or their family identify. It just makes me sad that they think this is appropriate. I’m

No that isn't appropriate. If someone made a complaint then they would have to be disciplined.

It's creating a negative working environment against protected characteristics. It's pretty much akin to claiming they're anti women or anti black people.

It’s just made me feel so uncomfortable

Of course that's inappropriate. How discriminatory and unpleasant.

Are you able to speak up?

I'm GC but I challenge policy not people and I would absolutely hate to work somewhere that anyone felt unwelcome.

I’m going to escalate it to my manager. It just left a horrible pit in my stomach.

That's got to breach the company's anti-discrimination policy, surely?

My teenager identifies as agender. If I overheard a conversation like this at work I'd very definitely be wading in.

They aren’t the sharpest tools in the box are they? 1 for having the views 2 for broadcasting them freely in public

do you think they’re winding you up as a joke?

Can you just hear? Or other colleagues too?

It needs reporting.

Are you sat with them?

Why not speak up at the time.

Even a 'shall we talk about something else as this feels a bit uncomfortable' would bring it to a close

Why didn't you say anything at the time? I overheard two colleagues being racist, and I called them out on it immediately, no need to escalate to management.

Personally I’d have challenged them, but I’m in senior management, and usually find the conversations quickly shift when I walk in a room
I’d personally write a description of what happened and what you recall being said and make a complaint

Re point 1 - they are allowed to think whatever they like in their heads.

Many major world wide religions are firmly homophobic and outspokenly so. Millions of people have homophobic views.

Their views on a link between Trans and poor mental health, and concerns about surgery on healthy bodies is shared by many/most GC people.

You cannot and should not seek to police people's thoughts.

You can and should however contribute to a harmonious, respectful and productive workplace by keeping your thoughts to yourself and behaving professionally to all.

Agreed.

I have and would do it again and it wasn't hard or drawn out. Even a look can bring conversations to a halt.

Did I say they weren’t allowed to think whatever they want?

however they fact they do think this, would indicate they’re not the sharpest tools in the box

I think you need to be careful in reporting it. They just had a conversation, they weren’t actively discriminating against colleagues. What if these people are devoutly religious? Their religious views are protected too, even if others strongly disagree with them. I think most reasonable people would want to restrict people chopping off healthy organs, even if they consented.
Wasn’t there a case in Northern Ireland involving a gay couple and a bakery who refused to make a cake for the couple as it went against their beliefs.
I’d be afraid of opening a can of words if I had to work with these people, if I was you I would have just ignored it.

I think, that maybe as a first step and because it was during a break and not during a work conversation, I would report it without naming names so that a general memo can be sent out about appropriate discussions in the workplace etc. That may be enough for them to realise their 'private' conversation are not so private. If it continues then I would name them to management.

Definitely report. Someone at my work was sacked for openly saying things that were racist, homophobic and ablist.

Yeah I'm not surprised. It's grim.

That is pretty much an example of conversations that should be reported, as part of our D&I training! However it might have been best to say something at the time - if you don't want to fall out with them or don't feel up to challenging them it could be along the lines of they need to be careful about saying things like that for their own sakes as it's likely to get reported. But I'd be tempted to report (unless it's totally obvious who did it and they are likely to make your lives hell)

I am always suspicious of the motivations of people who snitch on a colleague's conversation without first having a quiet word along the lines of "I cant help overhearing your conversation and I find it very offensive. I dont think this is appropriate talk in a workplace. I wont report it on this occasion but if it happens again I feel I will have to," Then you are giving your workmates a chance to amend their behaviour. Or at least to keep their views to a private place.

This is why I'm glad I don't work in an office. You don't agree with their opinions. So what? They didn't say anything hateful.

I’m really new to this job, I felt so uncomfortable. I know they’re entitled to have their views but I think there’s a difference between holding the views and voicing things like that.

Let me guess..,, you share their views?

So you have never worked with colleagues in person? @mashandgravy

You don’t think saying gay people “go against gods will” is hateful?