If someone at work used a gay slur towards another co-working in a joking manner, should he be fired?

Answer 1

He should be told that his behavior is unacceptable, and if it happens again that he is placing his job in jeopardy.

Answer 2

If it is between him and the co-worker and the co-worker knows that he's joking, then it's viewed as "rite of passage" and no one gets hurt or feels uncomfortable - this would be a non-issue.

However, there are others who work in the same office and if someone finds it offensive and reports it to human resourse, then by law, HR will have to investigate to determine the exact nature. If there is a diversity officer at the work place, then some kind of sensitivity or diversity raining will be in order. It is rare that someone will get fired for their first offense unless the employee handbook clearly states that there is a zero tolerance policy.

Bottomline - HR should do whatever it takes to maintain a hate-free, tension-free and positive work environment.

Answer 3

It is sexual harassment and discrimination plain and simple.
It is not freedom of speech. Get a clue people.
If you feel it was a joke you can let it go.
If it happens again you should talk to your manager and let him know he /she had better deal with the situation or you will be forced to consult an attorney.
Whether or not he should be fired really depends on a) how it affected you, b) does the company have policies in place such as a zero tolerance for harassment, and c) do you feel this person has animosity toward you.
I would make a notation of this incident for your own records(as to the time of day, date, location[were you in his office, your office, out in the hall etc.], person who made the remark any witnesses to the remark, and exactly what was said) and also bring it up to your boss, just to say it happened and that you would prefer it did not happen again, you are prepared to let it slide this time but if the incident were repeated it would be unacceptable.
It was incredibly unprofessional of this person to use a slur even if it was meant to amuse. It is no different than making a negative reference to a person’s race or religion.
One has freedom of speech in public and in one's private home but the work place is not an open forum where just anything can be said. Using slurs is a form of harassment and discrimination.
As I say only you can know how serious the offense was.
Are you friends with this person?
If not then it was grossly inappropriate for them to use such verbiage.
I work for an attorney.
She would crucify anyone who did such a thing in her office.

Answer 4

Don't most companies have policies on that sort of thing in their employee handbooks? The one I worked for did.

Maybe not fired for first offence, but a warning. Then, second time, a 3 day suspension. Third time, fired.

Answer 5

No, because of the fact i come across it truly offensive and hurtful. I do stumble on as queer because of the character of my orientation and gender identity, yet on no account interior the propose experience, purely because of the fact that's the only element that suits. i assume while you're gay then you truly can say it, yet i might particularly desire which you probably did not. I spent the final eighteen years surrounded by homo-, bi-, and transphobia... it replace into "nasty" or "intrinsically disordered" or "an abomination unto the lord", not purely between the particularly conservative and homophobic catholics yet between even the non-non secular. So i've got had sufficient of being taught to hate at college, actually having the the terrific option answer on my finals to be that my sexuality is evil, and sufficient hate out of faculty too. That siht hurts and that i hate it. i does not know notwithstanding if that's somewhat like the n word between blacks because of the fact i'm not black, yet i know that i might on no account dare use the word, and that i may be ashamed if I heard it used hatefully and did not merchandise, comparable as homophobia. I propose notwithstanding if that's between 2 black human beings and that they are completely pleased with it then superb i assume, yet i might nonetheless think of it beside the point and awkward.

Answer 6

No, not right away anyway. He has a right to speak his mind so long as it does not create a hostile work environment. If it is a joke and is taken as a joke, then there is no problem. However, if it creates a problem, then he should be warned that future occurrences may result in his dismissal, etc.

Answer 7

I think it calls for disciplinary action, but I think unless the company has a very strict and very explicit policy about it that people know going in, firing is a bit much for a first offense. (I can see where certain companies or organizations that specifically cater to the queer community might take things a little more seriously).

And, if this is about what I think its about, that's my view for that situation too.

Answer 8

If the co-worker is offended then it should be reported and the employee warned.

If the co-worker is not offended and accepted the remark as a joke, then it's between the two of them and nobody else's business.

Answer 9

giving people a chance to correct a mistake is better...it show maturity and confidence in the system to correct wrongs

firing a straight over a gay joke...can cause a resentment that last a lifetime

if he does not stop, or change his behavior....he as warned about the behavior....then he has to go

good luck
Jon
http://www.kpdxw.com

Answer 10

depends on if the person s/he was joking with was someone that can be joked around with in that manner. i work in a field where i get called all sorts of names and hafta laugh it off.... so grow some thicker skin and let the person who is involved confide in you before you start rocking the boat.

Answer 11

Check your employee manual--does your company have a non-discriminatory policy that includes sexual orientation? If not, it's a non-issue. If yes, that person could be reprimanded but firing seems a little extreme if it's the first time it happened.