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

74jax

No

Superfuse said:

Ath_Wat said:

Superfuse said:

Ath_Wat said:

Superfuse said:

Ath_Wat said:

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.

I'm just wondering how you know that they're happy with being addressed as a slacker if you haven't checked in some way. They may well be taking offence each time.

Because it's a hypothetical situation and I have said I know.  Do you really want me to outline a lot of hypothetical situations of the way I found out?

Yeah. I'm interested in how someone would establish that this particular term was fine.

Hypothetically then, I sent them a letter asking it pretty please would it be ok if I called them a slacker in a jokey way, and they replied "Yes, don't be silly".

In the real world of course you don't have to directly ask people you know well whether something like that will offend them.  You can make a judgement on the fact that you know them.

Could your judgement ever be incorrect?

Using the word 'judgement' then no not really, as long as you are of sound mind and can analyse facts. You come up with your own judgement. Could be different to others, as your question /poll shows. What one person considers totally fine, another might not. 

Ath_Wat

Superfuse said:

Ath_Wat said:

Superfuse said:

Ath_Wat said:

Superfuse said:

Ath_Wat said:

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.

I'm just wondering how you know that they're happy with being addressed as a slacker if you haven't checked in some way. They may well be taking offence each time.

Because it's a hypothetical situation and I have said I know.  Do you really want me to outline a lot of hypothetical situations of the way I found out?

Yeah. I'm interested in how someone would establish that this particular term was fine.

Hypothetically then, I sent them a letter asking it pretty please would it be ok if I called them a slacker in a jokey way, and they replied "Yes, don't be silly".

In the real world of course you don't have to directly ask people you know well whether something like that will offend them.  You can make a judgement on the fact that you know them.

Could your judgement ever be incorrect?

Yes, it could.  Do you suggest nobody should ever do anything if there's a slight chance they could be incorrect?  Or do you think that 99.999% of our decisions are made on a balance of probablilities?