Drinks with work colleagues

[fairo]

If a group of work colleagues go out after work and something discriminatory is said at these drinks is this something that should be escalated back at work or is it nothing to do with work?

More context is needed

I would say that it should. I work in that sort of area and it’s not uncommon to hear of such things. Sounds like there is a work nexus:

Context - group of work colleagues on a team (not the whole team) arrange to go out after work. During these drinks one of them makes a series of sexist remarks not about a colleague or customer.

If it was something that could cause harm to me, a colleague or a stakeholder of the business, I would say something. If it was said in a way to cause offence or cause a reaction I would also say something. If it fell outside of those parameters I wouldn’t say anything and would just cool my relationship with them.

I would like to think my first response would be to challenge the comment and the person saying it though.

I think it's personal time and people should be able to say what they want, obviously this person isn't that nice though so I'd probably avoid drinks with them ever again

It's now made a bit of an awkward environment within the team

I've known people being disciplined for their behaviour on a night out with colleagues.

It's a grey area. Drinks organised as a team event, or during work time as team-building etc. yes it's an issue for work. Someone who is completely professional at work going out with a few mates form work casually, less of an issue for work.

I'd avoid the twat like the plague but not report.

Thanks. That's what seems to be happening.. I think manager might clock it soon.

I have one of those jobs where we are held to a higher moral standard than most even if we're not 'in work'. People I work with have been sacked in similar circumstances to the OP.

I’ve never had an employer who managed sexism in the workplace let alone at after work drinks.

Usually in work contract it says you agree not to do or say anything that might affect the company and company reputation duty employment, so social hours count. What did they say exactly?

Is it an official work-organised event? Or just colleagues decided themselves to go? The reason I ask is that my previous employer would take the first one as happening 'on work time' as if it happened in the office. The second one is more of a grey area.

I can't imaging reporting a colleague in that situation. Different people have different boundaries for what would be offensive so it's also hard for people to give opinions without knowing more about what was said.

Tricky one and there would be nuances to the context that might impact things. But I would 100% have said something on the day, and I would also distance myself from this colleague going forward. I don't think I'd report it unless it was aimed specifically at someone in the group or at a colleague or client.

A work night out (like a work WhatsApp group) is an extension of the workplace and, whilst it's much more informal, behaviour should align with behaviour that your employer would expect from you during the 9-5. In my organisation, there's a policy which states this.

That said, I'd have to hear something pretty damn offensive at a night out to report it to seniors. I'd suggest addressing it at the time - 'that's not ok', 'that was pretty offensive', 'please don't say things like that', etc

I've been involved in a disciplinary investigation recently where a colleague's behaviour at a night out was considered in the pattern of inappropriate behaviour he exhibited over a period of time. He was let go.

I'd expect it to be challenged within the group, as I would in any other social setting, but I don't think it's a work matter.

It depends on your company's policies. My company would definitely hold this to be a disciplinary matter.

This is one of the reasons why I avoid socialising with work colleagues unless, it's a minefield.

Thanks. There isn't a formal policy. It was called out at the time so hopefully they don't put in a repeat performance