Homophobic slurs in my workplace.

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Ragnor

8218 posts

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#553512 4-Dec-2011 15:07

tardtasticx:

This one co-worker is constantly calling other co-workers faggot, homo, c#$*sucker etc... all for a laugh. Others do it too, but not as much.

Its just been getting to me today especially since I've started to notice it a lot more. Normally, I would be the first person to embarrass someone using these words in that way, but if I do, they might think of me differently and I don't particularly want to be known as the nark if I do go and inform the manager.

What would you guys do about this? And have any of you been in a similar situation?

Why not just talk to the guy?

eg: "Hey [insert co-worker], I'm actually gay and I'd appreciate it if you weren't calling our co-workers xyz all the time, thanks".

Either the guy will be cool with it and probably apologetic or he won't, if he's not and things continue or get worse that's when you to a supervisor imo.

Damager

2125 posts

Uber Geek

#553534 4-Dec-2011 15:35

Ragnor:
tardtasticx:

This one co-worker is constantly calling other co-workers faggot, homo, c#$*sucker etc... all for a laugh. Others do it too, but not as much.

Its just been getting to me today especially since I've started to notice it a lot more. Normally, I would be the first person to embarrass someone using these words in that way, but if I do, they might think of me differently and I don't particularly want to be known as the nark if I do go and inform the manager.

What would you guys do about this? And have any of you been in a similar situation?

Why not just talk to the guy?

eg: "Hey [insert co-worker], I'm actually gay and I'd appreciate it if you weren't calling our co-workers xyz all the time, thanks".

Either the guy will be cool with it and probably apologetic or he won't, if he's not and things continue or get worse that's when you to a supervisor imo.

The references he's using are pretty full on, so it's possible you'll get a bad reaction and create an awkward moment

I recommend straight to your manager, which how I would deal with this particular situation at my workplace.

Employee approaches myself re language in the work place. I have a chat to this person's (the accused) Manager. I break down in detail what has been alleged to have said. We discuss the harassment policy and find the correct section to quote which relates to unprofessional behaviour which includes offensive language. The accused's Manager discusses with the accused their behaviour, reminds them of the harassment policy. Manager seeks assurance that this won't happen again, and if so, it will be formally recorded on their personal file. The accused (logically, hopefully) agrees, apologises. Manager reports to the other Manager to confirm the outcome.. Your Manager then meets with you to advise the outcome (positive i hope!). If the accused denies, then bring in witnesses, have a mediator convene an all in discussion to discuss (probably won't happen but anything's possible)

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Dunnersfella

4086 posts

Uber Geek

#553674 4-Dec-2011 20:14

On the other hand...
You're new, your word is yet to be trusted, and people will back the existing guy if he's popular.

Some places have the 'punch him in the arm and call him a homo' culture... Some places are completely PC.
I'm not saying you shouldn't complain, I'm not saying you should - I'm saying think about things very carefully first.

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