Anti Discrimination Act And Harasment

[-FIGJAM-]

Ok so i have a very general idea of the two acts and what they say. Where i work the boys always give each other a bit of shit. Nothing seriouse and none of us get offended by it. However the two girls that we have in the office seem to get offended by us calling each other names, especially fag, poof etc because they know gay people and it offends them. NO ONE IN THE OFFICE IS GAY/LESBIAN.

Work has decided to try and enforce the act stating that we cant call each other names, gee each other up a bit, tease each others mums and what not. I feel like im back at school. Anyway they are claiming it is against the law under the two acts.

My arguement is that as for harasment, noone takes offence or is upset by it so what we say to each other doesnt fall under this tree, because it doesnt create the bad work place and what not.

But the discrimination one im not sure about. Are we discriminating because we call each other a homosexual without any of us being that way inclined? without there being anyone in the office like that?

can someone shed some light for me because im a bit ticked off about not being able to be me and have a laugh or a joke in the office with my coworkers.

Cheers,

[evil_weevil]

even if they are not gay or lesbian, people can still take offence and yes, can be harrasment regardless.

*looks for photo of sexual harrasment panda*

[-FIGJAM-]

can they take offense even tho we arent calling them it? it is between us boys not anyone else, not even referring to them or there friends.

[Black Widow]

hehe

Edited May 8, 2008 by Black Widow

[mesmerized]

Ok so i have a very general idea of the two acts and what they say. Where i work the boys always give each other a bit of shit. Nothing seriouse and none of us get offended by it. However the two girls that we have in the office seem to get offended by us calling each other names, especially fag, poof etc because they know gay people and it offends them. NO ONE IN THE OFFICE IS GAY/LESBIAN.

Work has decided to try and enforce the act stating that we cant call each other names, gee each other up a bit, tease each others mums and what not. I feel like im back at school. Anyway they are claiming it is against the law under the two acts.

My arguement is that as for harasment, noone takes offence or is upset by it so what we say to each other doesnt fall under this tree, because it doesnt create the bad work place and what not.

But the discrimination one im not sure about. Are we discriminating because we call each other a homosexual without any of us being that way inclined? without there being anyone in the office like that?

can someone shed some light for me because im a bit ticked off about not being able to be me and have a laugh or a joke in the office with my coworkers.

Cheers,

by what you've said, people are getting offended by what you're saying at work. you've just contradicted yourself.....

you're making fun of a minority, even if that minority doesn't exist in the workplace, it's still discrimination

[-FIGJAM-]

yea sorry i should say that us boys who are apart of the whole havin ago at each other aren't offended by what is said, but the two girls are.

We aren't saying that people can't do something cause there a gay or a girl or whatever its just like a you know oi you big fag whats the go with this? you know what i mean? thats why it shits me that they brought all this in and yea. We cant even swear now because its offensive. Honestly i think people need to grow up a bit sometimes.

[Sl!m]

by what you've said, people are getting offended by what you're saying at work. you've just contradicted yourself.....

you're making fun of a minority, even if that minority doesn't exist in the workplace, it's still discrimination

Exactly.

You have already answered the questions yourself. Even though the comments are not directed at them, they are offended.

[Sl!m]

yea sorry i should say that us boys who are apart of the whole havin ago at each other aren't offended by what is said, but the two girls are.

We aren't saying that people can't do something cause there a gay or a girl or whatever its just like a you know oi you big fag whats the go with this? you know what i mean? thats why it shits me that they brought all this in and yea. We cant even swear now because its offensive. Honestly i think people need to grow up a bit sometimes.

Honestly I think you need to grow up a little and realise there are other people in your workplace who are obviously offended by this and you should be a little more considerate of the fact.

its a place of business not a school yard. the people you are working with have just as much right to go to work each day without having to hear you nonsense and offensive language.

[-FIGJAM-]

I understand what everyone is saying, that they are offended and i wasnt sure if the way work was going about it was correct or not. Thats what i wanted to clarify. Yes people are offended, so ok we have to stop. So im not aloud to call a mate anything because it doesnt matter what is said someone can and probably will find it offensive. As for the language, i dont go around saying f**k this f**k that, what the f**k stupid c**t and what not, im talking about when shit hits the fan or your frustrated you cant say a thing. I guess the 40s are back and ill have to start saying golly and dang nam it.

The fact that i am an adult i think i should be able to say what i want, im a active reservist so why shouldnt i be able to f**k? honestly. in that regards, everyone swears even my parents swear.

But meh i guess ill just have to abide by what they want, as bad or stupid as it is.

[GoldZilla]

There's two things I have to say, but this is just my opinion:

1. Political correctness is stuffing society up - it's like everyone has to be super-careful about what they do and say, just because someone *might* get offended.

2. By the same token, you SHOULD consider your environment when you choose to do/say something or act a certain way. Even ignoring that whole "Political Correctness" thing, it's not hard to cause insult or injury simply through a badly-judged choice of words.

In saying that, I always try and remember two things, and live by them:

1. It's not WHAT you say, but HOW you say it; and

2. If you GIVE respect, then (99% of the time) you'll GET respect.

[TTT]

The chick probably feel left out and that is why they feel discriminated against.

just go up to one of them, grab her titty, twist a nipple, give her a the sphincter of the universe slap, then take your shirt off and throw it at her and say, "Here.. iron this will ya Pegg"

This should keep them happy and feeling as part of the team, then you can go back to slapping your mates arses and calling them gheylordz

[madbung]

If a bloke can't call his workmates poofs/fags/pricks whatever...I don't know where this country is going.

Down right un-Australian.....these bureaucrats and policy makers should get their ass's off the tarmac and take a wander down the bush track to remind them just where the f*k they are! Your boss and office girls included.

If they want to be all gay and gentile...go to France or some other bastion of faggotry.

[jeffboyracer]

I understand what everyone is saying, that they are offended and i wasnt sure if the way work was going about it was correct or not. Thats what i wanted to clarify. Yes people are offended, so ok we have to stop. So im not aloud to call a mate anything because it doesnt matter what is said someone can and probably will find it offensive. As for the language, i dont go around saying f**k this f**k that, what the f**k stupid c**t and what not, im talking about when shit hits the fan or your frustrated you cant say a thing. I guess the 40s are back and ill have to start saying golly and dang nam it.

The fact that i am an adult i think i should be able to say what i want, im a active reservist so why shouldnt i be able to f**k? honestly. in that regards, everyone swears even my parents swear.

But meh i guess ill just have to abide by what they want, as bad or stupid as it is.

If u think that just because your in the army reserve u can carry on the way you have described, then u r a fool...

[DECIM8]

Your work made that up? If work cover find out they will get nailed. Some chick made up dodgy claims against me about sexual harrasment and I was cleared but basically they found comments such as "wow" and "while your down there, as I was supposedly on a ladder" as sexual harrasment which to me could mean basically anything and for the record I would not even use these manners to any work mate.

So if you related your case to mine basically anything that anyone feels offended to will classify as some form of harrasment. Its shit, its true and its basically to easy to lodge a claim. (she was going for days lost because of metal and emotional damage.. According to her facebook and comments she made to mine seems she felt otherwise.)

Even getting on the piss and calling your mate a homo is harrasment, and if someone else is uncomfortable with the term you use then its also harrasment.. weird.

[madbung]

I think your boss may also be descriminating against your cultural rights as an Australian male............we is what we is gadnamit!!!

Edited May 8, 2008 by madbung

[-FIGJAM-]

Its good to see that some people have the same view as me. And just to clear the air, no i dont think that just because im in the reserves that i should get away with what i want, but honestly if i slip f**k out does it really matter? we arent even talking about older women here, they are in there 20s.

How have i carried on? Im 19 years old, swearing is something that we do, if i cant talk to a mate and say oh f**k yea or even if i for some reason drop a computer on my foot and i cant say f**k that hurt, then i think the country that im prepared to fight for is going up the shit. How i want to talk is up to me, im polite, but if someone doesnt like what i say to a mate then one obvious solution comes to mind; dont listen?

I dont see how ive carried on.. ive tried to be honest here when im askin for people's opinion and tell the honest truth, by the way we act and talk around our office. Havent just tried to say my story, like i said, its not just sayin ahh ya poof, i cant say anything about him... regardless because as the girls say its not nice. but its alright for them to turn around and call someone who doesnt work in our office a retart... where is the justice?

[DECIM8]

As long as its not a direct attack at someone, related to a discussion, problem or situation the person could be sensitive about it should be fine.

E.G they are Aboriginal decent and you discuss payments to the stolen generation while using derogitory wording.

Perhaps talk to the girls regarding the situation and ask if they are offended by the use of such words, then ask how you could achive the same thing using different words, and suggest words to do so which would prevent them from being offended. Sounds like alot of work but saves your job, and if you care about your work record your place of employement alot of cash

Edited May 8, 2008 by DECIM8

[madbung]

Send them down the local supermarket/pub/footy/cricket match they'll hear far worse and that'd be from the supporting mothers in the crowd.

I think you're right re: their hypocrisy....

As you say you're a 19 y.o working in a warehouse/factory environment?

I think they need to realise you're an Australian male, it's 2008, most of the language you describe has been widely socially acceptable in the company of adults for 20+yrs unless ofcourse you happen to be an 18th century French Duke.

Maybe try not using anyones name for a week or so....just refer to them all as Oi!! because you fear you may offend them if you get to personal.

Edited May 8, 2008 by madbung

[-FIGJAM-]

I think its a bit harsh that they are stopping us talking to each other ho we would in normal everyday circumstances. As i said none of us take offense to what we say to each other, but if we are breaking the acts then there isn't really anything we can do.

I believe that it is a joke that i cant have a laugh with a mate but its how the world has become. No i work in an office so rules i guess are different, even if they shouldn't be. Ill just have to bite the bullet and go along with their rules because they are the boss not me, its there business not mine.

I guess Ned Kelly said it best before they hung him "so its come to this? Ahh well such is life". If i can't take the micky out of someone, so be it. Ill just have to do it on the sly or look for another job.

Cheers for the feed back guys, very much appreciated. I thought the acts only worked if someone was the target of discrimination, not just because someone gets offended by what is said.

[blk180]

Pfff you have got nothing reading a BIGW catalogue can get you in trouble at my work. WHY because it has a lingerie section in it!