Is it acceptable to address someone as "slacker" in the workplace?

killerferret666

They were being sarcastic. Its very obvious based on what @Spendless has put. And is a colleague trying to say in a lighthearted way...stop working.

Ath_Wat

killerferret666 said:

They were being sarcastic. Its very obvious based on what @Spendless has put. And is a colleague trying to say in a lighthearted way...stop working.

Again, the OP has confused the issue by starting a poll based on what I provided as an obviously acceptable example of the word being used; that is not what was said to them, which they seem reluctant to divulge.

Brie

No

Ath_Wat said:

Brie said:

Ath_Wat said:

Unacceptable?  Are you being serious?  Of course it's a negative word, but it is being used ironically in a positive way.  You honestly wouldn't see that?

Belittling someone by using it is obviously wrong but is not in the question.  The question just asks whether it can be used, you are assuming that it is being used negatively.

Yup, completely serious!  You did ask people's opinions, didn't you?

Just because you say something in an ironic fashion doesn't mean it will be heard that way.  That's why it's best to use words more selectively.  

Is your contention that you wouldn't understand it, or just that you think there are people dim-witted enough to misunderstand any use of irony, so irony should never be used in a workplace and if it is, even if it is not misunderstood, that constitutes unacceptable behaviour? Is it ok to use it to a colleague you know well and who you know does understand irony?

Is it your intention to be condescending?  Or did you simply not understand my response?

I think "slacker" is a derogatory term.  I don't think it should be used in the workplace.  

Irony, sarcasm, humour, even anger can be very effective in the workplace when used properly.  But they are often not used properly so sometimes it's best to err on the side of caution.  Some people won't understand the intent.  Some people have a different cultural background.  Some people don't have English as their first, second or third language.  Lots of reasons to use one's words carefully.

Ath_Wat

Brie said:

Ath_Wat said:

Brie said:

Ath_Wat said:

Unacceptable?  Are you being serious?  Of course it's a negative word, but it is being used ironically in a positive way.  You honestly wouldn't see that?

Belittling someone by using it is obviously wrong but is not in the question.  The question just asks whether it can be used, you are assuming that it is being used negatively.

Yup, completely serious!  You did ask people's opinions, didn't you?

Just because you say something in an ironic fashion doesn't mean it will be heard that way.  That's why it's best to use words more selectively.  

Is your contention that you wouldn't understand it, or just that you think there are people dim-witted enough to misunderstand any use of irony, so irony should never be used in a workplace and if it is, even if it is not misunderstood, that constitutes unacceptable behaviour? Is it ok to use it to a colleague you know well and who you know does understand irony?

Is it your intention to be condescending?  Or did you simply not understand my response?

I think "slacker" is a derogatory term.  I don't think it should be used in the workplace.  

Irony, sarcasm, humour, even anger can be very effective in the workplace when used properly.  But they are often not used properly so sometimes it's best to err on the side of caution.  Some people won't understand the intent.  Some people have a different cultural background.  Some people don't have English as their first, second or third language.  Lots of reasons to use one's words carefully.

This is what I am trying to get to the bottom of.  Do you think it is so offensive that it should never be used at all?

If I have a colleague I know well and use it with them, and both of us are fine with it, do you think it shouldn't be used as people overhearing it will be offended, like, for example, a racist term or a crude sexual swear word?

I'm quite happy to say it shouldn't be used as a joke with someone you don't know well enough to know how they will take it; I've not claimed otherwise.  

MalMonroe

Ath_Wat said:

Brie said:

Ath_Wat said:

Brie said:

Ath_Wat said:

Unacceptable?  Are you being serious?  Of course it's a negative word, but it is being used ironically in a positive way.  You honestly wouldn't see that?

Belittling someone by using it is obviously wrong but is not in the question.  The question just asks whether it can be used, you are assuming that it is being used negatively.

Yup, completely serious!  You did ask people's opinions, didn't you?

Just because you say something in an ironic fashion doesn't mean it will be heard that way.  That's why it's best to use words more selectively.  

Is your contention that you wouldn't understand it, or just that you think there are people dim-witted enough to misunderstand any use of irony, so irony should never be used in a workplace and if it is, even if it is not misunderstood, that constitutes unacceptable behaviour? Is it ok to use it to a colleague you know well and who you know does understand irony?

Is it your intention to be condescending?  Or did you simply not understand my response?

I think "slacker" is a derogatory term.  I don't think it should be used in the workplace.  

Irony, sarcasm, humour, even anger can be very effective in the workplace when used properly.  But they are often not used properly so sometimes it's best to err on the side of caution.  Some people won't understand the intent.  Some people have a different cultural background.  Some people don't have English as their first, second or third language.  Lots of reasons to use one's words carefully.

This is what I am trying to get to the bottom of.  Do you think it is so offensive that it should never be used at all?

If I have a colleague I know well and use it with them, and both of us are fine with it, do you think it shouldn't be used as people overhearing it will be offended, like, for example, a racist term or a crude sexual swear word?

I'm quite happy to say it shouldn't be used as a joke with someone you don't know well enough to know how they will take it; I've not claimed otherwise.  

Well it's an insult and whoever says it in whatever context in a workplace it's unacceptable. 

Employment law has changed significantly since I started working in the late 1960s, thank goodness. As a young 'mod' girl, I had older men leering at me and standing to close and saying inappropriate things to me. I was intimidated, especially when I was the newest, youngest female employee and these old men (aged at least 35) had been working in places for years. It wasn't considered unacceptable for white, middle class men to insult young girls and embarrass them at all in the work place. Things have changed now but obviously, some people think it's still okay to hurl insults around, no matter how 'in jest' they may feel them to be.

I have to assume that the person calling the other a slacker is a man, as is the potential slacker.

Respect is really definitely lacking in some work places and I am grateful to now be self-employed where I am free of 'office banter' which sometimes goes way over the top.

Stop it!

Brie

No

Ath_Wat said:

Brie said:

Is it your intention to be condescending?  Or did you simply not understand my response?

I think "slacker" is a derogatory term.  I don't think it should be used in the workplace.  

Irony, sarcasm, humour, even anger can be very effective in the workplace when used properly.  But they are often not used properly so sometimes it's best to err on the side of caution.  Some people won't understand the intent.  Some people have a different cultural background.  Some people don't have English as their first, second or third language.  Lots of reasons to use one's words carefully.

This is what I am trying to get to the bottom of.  Do you think it is so offensive that it should never be used at all?

If I have a colleague I know well and use it with them, and both of us are fine with it, do you think it shouldn't be used as people overhearing it will be offended, like, for example, a racist term or a crude sexual swear word?

I'm quite happy to say it shouldn't be used as a joke with someone you don't know well enough to know how they will take it; I've not claimed otherwise.  

I really don't know what you don't understand in my previous replies.  I don't think it should be used in the workplace.

Ath_Wat

Brie said:

Ath_Wat said:

Brie said:

Is it your intention to be condescending?  Or did you simply not understand my response?

I think "slacker" is a derogatory term.  I don't think it should be used in the workplace.  

Irony, sarcasm, humour, even anger can be very effective in the workplace when used properly.  But they are often not used properly so sometimes it's best to err on the side of caution.  Some people won't understand the intent.  Some people have a different cultural background.  Some people don't have English as their first, second or third language.  Lots of reasons to use one's words carefully.

This is what I am trying to get to the bottom of.  Do you think it is so offensive that it should never be used at all?

If I have a colleague I know well and use it with them, and both of us are fine with it, do you think it shouldn't be used as people overhearing it will be offended, like, for example, a racist term or a crude sexual swear word?

I'm quite happy to say it shouldn't be used as a joke with someone you don't know well enough to know how they will take it; I've not claimed otherwise.  

I really don't know what you don't understand in my previous replies.  I don't think it should be used in the workplace.

If you answered my question it would help me understand.

If I have a colleague I know well and use it with them, and both of us are fine with it, do you think it shouldn't be used as people overhearing it will be offended, like, for example, a racist term or a crude sexual swear word?

That's either a yes or a no. If it's a yes, can you explain exactly what part of it would offend you, because I can't understand why a bystander would be offended in such a situation.  

Superfuse

Ath_Wat said:

Brie said:

Ath_Wat said:

Brie said:

Is it your intention to be condescending?  Or did you simply not understand my response?

I think "slacker" is a derogatory term.  I don't think it should be used in the workplace.  

Irony, sarcasm, humour, even anger can be very effective in the workplace when used properly.  But they are often not used properly so sometimes it's best to err on the side of caution.  Some people won't understand the intent.  Some people have a different cultural background.  Some people don't have English as their first, second or third language.  Lots of reasons to use one's words carefully.

This is what I am trying to get to the bottom of.  Do you think it is so offensive that it should never be used at all?

If I have a colleague I know well and use it with them, and both of us are fine with it, do you think it shouldn't be used as people overhearing it will be offended, like, for example, a racist term or a crude sexual swear word?

I'm quite happy to say it shouldn't be used as a joke with someone you don't know well enough to know how they will take it; I've not claimed otherwise.  

I really don't know what you don't understand in my previous replies.  I don't think it should be used in the workplace.

If you answered my question it would help me understand.

If I have a colleague I know well and use it with them, and both of us are fine with it, do you think it shouldn't be used as people overhearing it will be offended, like, for example, a racist term or a crude sexual swear word?

That's either a yes or a no. If it's a yes, can you explain exactly what part of it would offend you, because I can't understand why a bystander would be offended in such a situation.  

How would you establish that your colleague was fine with it?

Brie

No

You shouldn't use it.  It's a derogatory term.  Personally, I would have thought that was response enough.

But as you insist on not focusing on what I've answered but instead on additional questions, yes I think you shouldn't use it with your colleague.  You think it's a joke or ironic or whatever.  Maybe they are fine with that.  Maybe they were fine with that when you first said it but now the joke is no longer funny.  Maybe your other colleagues think you are being a bully talking to someone in the office in such a nasty way.  What happens if you get called into a meeting with your manager, with HR and are accused of being a bully and acting in a way that is contrary to acceptable office practices?  Will you be happy to be dismissed/suspended/reprimanded for the sake of a word that others have told you may not be acceptable??

Ath_Wat

Superfuse said:

Ath_Wat said:

Brie said:

Ath_Wat said:

Brie said:

Is it your intention to be condescending?  Or did you simply not understand my response?

I think "slacker" is a derogatory term.  I don't think it should be used in the workplace.  

Irony, sarcasm, humour, even anger can be very effective in the workplace when used properly.  But they are often not used properly so sometimes it's best to err on the side of caution.  Some people won't understand the intent.  Some people have a different cultural background.  Some people don't have English as their first, second or third language.  Lots of reasons to use one's words carefully.

This is what I am trying to get to the bottom of.  Do you think it is so offensive that it should never be used at all?

If I have a colleague I know well and use it with them, and both of us are fine with it, do you think it shouldn't be used as people overhearing it will be offended, like, for example, a racist term or a crude sexual swear word?

I'm quite happy to say it shouldn't be used as a joke with someone you don't know well enough to know how they will take it; I've not claimed otherwise.  

I really don't know what you don't understand in my previous replies.  I don't think it should be used in the workplace.

If you answered my question it would help me understand.

If I have a colleague I know well and use it with them, and both of us are fine with it, do you think it shouldn't be used as people overhearing it will be offended, like, for example, a racist term or a crude sexual swear word?

That's either a yes or a no. If it's a yes, can you explain exactly what part of it would offend you, because I can't understand why a bystander would be offended in such a situation.  

How would you establish that your colleague was fine with it?

In this scenario I know them, and I know they are.  I've said that.

If I don't know that, I shouldn't say it. I've said that as well. You seem to just want to keep pulling back to ask the question "is it ok to use it if you are not sure how it will be received", which is a different question with a different answer.  Context.