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?

I’d say something. I personally find people displaying the Palestinians flag as a political statement unsettling, especially in a work place. Now, while I’m perfectly aware that not everyone flying the flag is antisemitic, as a visibly Jewish woman I have had too many hateful and anti Jewish comments and threats of physical violence from people wearing or waving or showing that flag on their profile pictures to count over the past year and a half. So while someone’s intentions in using it may be perfectly pure, I won’t be the only person seeing it and feeling unsafe.

I think this thread shows that many people don't understand what the civil service actually is and does. They need to watch Yes Minister which explains it very well.

@TaliaTalia Exactly.

Would anyone care if it was the Ukrainian flag? Let's not forget we were lighting up national buildings with that flag...

They are civil servants and must not be political.

I agree. You may have Jewish colleagues and this may put them on edge a little given the rise in antisemitism.

@Wildflowers99 Good point. It's an opportunity to be an ally to Jewish colleagues, in a time of a documented rise in antisemitism.

Exactly this. I'm astonished that it has been allowed.

What do you mean by that? What can't you equate with Palestine?

Yes they would. The government can show support for ukraine, the civil service should not

Are you a manager or a colleague of the same grade?

If you're a colleague of the same grade mind your own business and keep your mouth shut.

No, don't keep your mouth shut - it's a clear breach of the rules around impartiality.

People are misunderstanding civil service political neutrality. Civil servants have to fulfil the requirements of their role in a politically neutral way, to serve the government of the day. For example a civil servant might oppose Brexit but if their role is to implement Brexit policies they have to do so. As an individual a civil servant can have political views and they can discuss those views in the workplace.

Presumably any discussion would be done in an appropriate and sensitive manner, without causing harm, distress or upset to anyone. Given strength of feelings around this war, someone displaying a Palestinian flag (or an Israeli one) on a large Teams call where they are potentially talking to colleagues with different opinions, and possibly from other organisations - could be inflammatory. That's not appropriate for the workplace.

I can’t see an issue. This wouldn’t offend me. People are allowed to support what’s important to them.
Doesn’t mean they are trying to affect others opinions/views.
Woukd you mind a picture of a cat ? Or football motif?

Not when you are working for the government and have been asked to take a politically-neutral stance.

Have your personal FB profile pic as whatever you like but you can't do the same at work.

Not at work they're not. A football motif would not be allowed here either - there is a lot of sectarian rivalry between some clubs and that could certainly cause problems. If you're at work then use your own photo with no political (or otherwise) affiliations.

Then I guess management need to address the issue.

Yep - and even more so if someone complains or raises it with them.

The individual staff member is paid to leave her or his whole self at home.

When she or he accepted the job it was on the condition that while acting on behalf of the State (all its citizens) she/he would be seen to have no personal agenda while carrying out the role.

It's inappropriate. I was on a teams call with someone yesterday and they had a peace dove with a Palestinian flag on there, which I thought was borderline.

If you're hesitant to report it, instead ask your boss about it. Tell her you'd previously thought flags were disallowed because of the politically neutral requirement, but you've just seen Jane's lovely Palestinian flag and are now wondering if it's OK for you to put a Ukrainian flag in your profile. You'll get a straight answer, and your boss (if she's not a complete wuss) will ask Jane's boss to have Jane change her profile pic as ignoring it is encouraging awkward questions amongst the rest of the staff.

Crikey, we're not even allowed football team colours on our profile pics at work.
The reasoning is obvious- it potentially causes conflict between two colleagues who should have their focus on the job they're being paid to do, not each others political/sports team allegiances. Its not unreasonable.
This is the civil service fgs, completely inappropriate!! I'm surprised she's not been told to change it yet.

I believe you’ll find yourself on the wrong side of the argument. There is a very strong pro-Palestine lobby in the CS. I’d raise it informally but don’t, whatever you do, do it formally.

HMRC is really the worst place for this. Good luck in whatever you decide to do.

Government policy is full support of Ukraine. Ukrainian flags on lapel pins, Teams etc. is allowed. Civil Servants are also allowed to partake in pro-Ukraine rallies - but they’re not allowed to display they’re a Civil Servant.