Palestinian flag as Teams profile picture

[Flaggingup]

I’m a civil servant in HMRC. We are supposed to be politically impartial.

This afternoon I took part in a large Teams call. We are encouraged to have our photos on our Teams profile. I noticed one person had a Palestinian flag as her profile picture. I wonder if I should ignore it or tell her manager. But I assume the manager is already aware?

I wonder how the Israeli flag would go down?

what makes it a political view and who decides it. I guess its assume because a war is on-going in that country? So if they had the flag of Jamaica as their profile picture that would not need to be reported.

It is COMPLETELY inappropriate and yes you should report it. A friend in the civil service in Scotland is constantly having to tell people that no, they can't have their "yes" lanyard, or pro independence pictures on teams profile.

Non political means non political - whether that's domestic or international.

Bloody hell the responses! Not convinced anyone who doesn't understand why this is an issue has ever had a job.

YANBU OP. I would report - assume you have a system where you can flag concerns anonymously and a 'no retaliation' policy.

I've never worked in the Civil Service but I've also never worked anywhere where having a Teams photograph of anything other than your face would be acceptable.

I'm an Irish civil servant, and very pro Palestinian, but wouldn't dream of doing this. If I did HR would be in touch. It is not appropriate in a public sector workplace.

The problem is that everyone sits back because they are afraid of being seen as on the wrong side of the acceptable left wing view but it is in breach of regulations and, personally, I would raise it as being an issue. I suspect the person using that profile would report anyone using an Israeli flag within a heartbeat

I've worked with people in design and they often have a cartoon image of themselves as a profile picture.

Sometimes people dont see the other persons perspective. What has that got to do with having a job?

if the op has said its inappropriate to have a Nigeria flag as a profile pic as we should all be neutral id get it. But this thought has come to her regarding the Palestinian flag. Why?

You've been told why several times on this thread. A Nigerian/Jamaican/Scottish flag would also be inappropriate.

Why does everyone on MN want to report people for stuff like this?

@rivertimez what do you mean? Why would you understand it to be inappropriate if it was a Nigerian flag but you can't understand why a Palestinian flag would be inappropriate?

No you can't. There are over half a million civil servants in the UK. You have no way of knowing how many have profile pics, or what pics they have.

I wouldn’t report. Surely the manager sees the profile of this person often.

OP, are you

1. concerned the person will get in trouble
2. are YOU offended by their choice of picture?
3. or are you angry that the person isn’t following the rules?

@HonestShaker It wouldn't be appropriate to have any country's flag. Palestine isn't a legitimate state, so showing the Palestinian flag is a political statement. Obviously that's not compatible with neutrality. Keep it for personal time.

No. It someone had the Israel flag or Russia flag they would be asked to remove it no doubt.

If she had either of those flags my response would still be "her manager will already know this, because presumably she sees it regularly. So what's the point in raising it?"

Obviously raise it if you want, I just don't know what you're adding to anyone's knowledge of the situation beyond "yeah I saw it too". This isn't something where maybe her manager doesn't know. If it's her teams profile pic, her manager definitely does.

So it's okay to show your support of Palestine, but not of Israel? Is that what you're saying? Can you explain why?

FWIW I think it is inappropriate OP, but I would stay out of it because the minute you address it - you will get people piling on to you and making assumptions about your politics - even though you have clearly stated that your issue is that you are meant to appear impartial.

I couldn’t get worked up about this. It’s a bit embarrassing for the employee as others will be judging her for being unprofessional but it’s not actually doing any harm.

Oh yes, I agree with you. I misunderstood, sorry! Because you mentioned Russia, I thought you were making an implied criticism of Israel. My apologies!

Is it in their contract to be politically neutral? I'm in a politically restricted post and am not allowed to share any political views at work, or outside work on social media etc. I'd say it isn't super strictly enforced (i.e many office conversations were held around brexit etc) but generally it's a big no no to say who you're voting for or to make negative comments about a political party.

I'm not sure if this extends to other countries though and they might argue that a Palestinian flag is not a political statement. I don't think anyone would get in trouble for having a Ukraine flag as their photo.

I'd say bringing politics to work is inappropriate in most jobs but against the code of conduct in the civil service. Not sure best way to raise though.

@HonestShaker It's equally legitimate to argue that displaying the Palestinian flag is endorsing a terrorist group (Hamas). Claiming a "genocide" is itself a politicised and arguably hateful stance to take.

Definitely inappropriate and definitely report it. If her manager knows and has been too cowardly to act, s/he can then use the excuse that people have complained. If she doesn't know, she will have been told. Tbh by not complaining you are colluding.