Dignity at Work

UsernameAlreadyExists

Reggie_Rebel wrote: »

For me F-tard is far worse than bad apples, idiots etc.

Whereas for me it's not.

Reggie_Rebel wrote: »

If I'd been called a f-tard by internet in the workplace then I'd be most unchuffed

Presumably you'd be offended if I called you a "cry baby" then?

LunaLady wrote: »

I suggest you buy a dictionary.

How would that help? The word won't be in there ...

EDIT: It's becoming more and more common
http://www.cafepress.co.uk/mf/2027925/!!!!tard_tshirt

LunaLady

Because cry-baby and F-tard are exactly the same thing, obviously!

Tiddlywinks

Honeypie wrote: »

...if others have made similar derogatory comments and no action taken against them then (and he got sacked, say) it could form part of his argument. It doesn't have to go to tribunal to get a more positive outcome.

It might be that the employer has only just become aware of the 'culture' of degrading commentary from its empoyees... so is now dealing with it...

Also, the OP didn't say others used exactly *that* phrase... only that they also voiced criticisms.

Given that it appears reasonable for the use of that phrase to be seen as gross misconduct, I would say that the best the OP can hope for is a formal written warning.

UsernameAlreadyExists

LunaLady wrote: »

Because cry-baby and F-tard are exactly the same thing, obviously!

I think you've somewhat missed the point.

Tiddlywinks wrote: »

Given that it appears reasonable for the use of that phrase to be seen as gross misconduct.

Who says?
If I were his boss, I'd just laugh and suggest that the person who made the complaint in the first place stop being one.

Tiddlywinks

UsernameAlreadyExists wrote: »

Whereas for me it's not.

So, you wouldn't be offended if a work colleague called you a' f-tard'?

I'd just like to point out that your personal capacity to withstand insults is not actually a clear measure of whether something is generally offensive though... just in case you think that it is.

UsernameAlreadyExists wrote: »

Presumably you'd be offended if I called you a "cry baby" then?

How can you say the word 'cry baby' is in the same league as 'f-tard'? Anyway, calling someone a 'cry baby' is itself likely to be seen as an unacceptable jibe in most professional environments.

UsernameAlreadyExists wrote: »

EDIT: It's becoming more and more common
http://www.cafepress.co.uk/mf/2027925/!!!!tard_tshirt

The fact you can buy a t-shirt with a phrase on it, does not mean that that phrase is acceptable.

gb12345

UsernameAlreadyExists wrote: »

If I were his boss, I'd just laugh and suggest that the person who made the complaint in the first place stop being one.

And then when the person concerned brings and wins a case for discrimination by virtue of the fact that they are mentally disabled I'm sure you (or who ever owns the company) would still be laughing.

UsernameAlreadyExists

Tiddlywinks wrote: »

So, you wouldn't be offended if a work colleague called you a' f-tard'?

Nope.

Tiddlywinks wrote: »

I'd just like to point out that your personal capacity to withstand insults is not actually a clear measure of whether something is generally offensive though... just in case you think that it is.

So "WHO" decides then? Why is f-tard offensive, and bad apple is not ? Can you show me the rule book please?

Tiddlywinks wrote: »

How can you say the word 'cry baby' is in the same league as 'f-tard'? Anyway, calling someone a 'cry baby' is itself likely to be seen as an unacceptable jibe in most professional environments.

You have also missed the point. If he claims to be "unchuffed" at being called something as inoffensive as a f-tard, then he'll also be "unchuffed" at being called a "cry baby".

Tiddlywinks wrote: »

The fact you can buy a t-shirt with a phrase on it, does not mean that that phrase is acceptable.

Yes it does ... FCUK t-shirts are all over the place. They deliberately market them for the dramatic shock that ensues when people like you will suffer when you see a naughty word written on someone's t-shirt.

Andy_L

Who was the email sent to & who was being called a F'tard? If it was a customers employee being described & it went to that company instead of staying in house then thats far worse than internal comments only

gb12345

UsernameAlreadyExists wrote: »

So "WHO" decides then? Why is f-tard offensive, and bad apple is not ? Can you show me the rule book please?

You have also missed the point. If he claims to be "unchuffed" at being called something as inoffensive as a f-tard, then he'll also be "unchuffed" at being called a "cry baby".

Do you actually understand what f-tard means?

If you do adn still think it is inoffensive then that says a lot about you and I expect your idea of a good weekend is a trip to the footie to make monkey gestures at certain players.

And as to WHO decides it is offensive, then perhaps you should read zzzLazyDaisy's post where she makes it quite clear why it would be deemed offensive.

UsernameAlreadyExists

gb12345 wrote: »

And then when the person concerned brings and wins a case for discrimination by virtue of the fact that they are mentally disabled I'm sure you (or who ever owns the company) would still be laughing.

Oh ... wait ... so someone that genuinely IS a retard ... is being discriminated againt by calling them a "F-" retard?

So I'd be discriminating againt you be calling you a "F-"human? Really?

Causing offence and discrimation are two entirely different things. And like I asked ... "bringing a case"? If this particular case were brought to me, I'd laugh at it. Much like school kids calling others "fatty" in the playground. Deal with it.