Political comments in work

KTRIC

I'm working in Munich at the moment and recently a new person joined our small closely knit team. He's English and has just started about 2 weeks ago.

Over the past 2 weeks he made some quite disturbing comments to be about Ireland (me being Irish) being part of Great Britain. The first time he said this was when the two of us were in a private office on our own doing some work. I had a little "chat" with him regarding this and he was blissfully unaware of the political situation with NI and ROI etc :eek:

We were out for lunch today and he came along. This time in front of another colleague he made a similar comment , although this time it seemed like he was trying to wind me up.

When I told him I didn't find it funny him joking about Ireland , he said don't take it so serious it happened years ago !! He couldn't answer me when I told him about all the people in NI , ROI and the UK that have died in the past 40 years because of the "troubles" and why he thought it was nothing.

I was like a bull for the rest of the evening because of this. It really p!sses me off when people (especially ignorant) bring up politics in the office.

I'm not sure what I should do next, if he brings it up again ?

mikemac

Maybe it's just ignornance rather than something malicious.
I mean, English students hardly spend a lot of time learning about Ireland

I seem to remember an English poster in this forum looking for advice on "Southern Ireland" and the only thing it was mentioned in school was the "potato famine"
Just one small part of a worldwide Empire I suppose.
Remember the rugby game in Croke Park? It was on the news that most English fans had no idea of Bloody Sunday.

You could highlight the fact that the British Royal Family are German

PeakOutput

depending on what he said then you should just get over it and give as good as you get....lets be honest its not hard to make fun of the brits

if he said something along the lines of "do you visit the mainland much" then he is just taking the piss and you should give it back.

if he is being badly racist and pro violence or something like that then you could tell him you will take it further if he makes remarks like that again but in fairness its probably not worth the trouble you have the complete upper hand if it ever turns into a proper debate

KTRIC

micmclo wrote: »

You could highlight the fact that the British Royal Family are German

I'm sure he'd love that one

Don't get me wrong , I'm not a RA head or anything. But I dont think this **** should brought up in work.

I'm sure if a German said to a Jewish person that they should forget about the war, it was years ago there'd be stabbin's

KTRIC

PeakOutput wrote: »

if he said something along the lines of "do you visit the mainland much" then he is just taking the piss and you should give it back.

Actually that was one of the comments he made first. Obviously knowing right well that comments like that to the Irish don't go down too well.

I was prepared to forget about it until today.

briantwin

Just find a synopsis of the troubles and all the other shi*te that went on during the fight for independence and email it to him. with a little comment along the lines of helping him to have an informed opinion.

Nolanger

We are geographically part of the British Isles though - maybe he meant that?

mick.fr

He is just a stupid English moron that want to point out English people use to own Ireland.
Just tell him to never mention again Ireland in a negative way and if it happens again mention this to the manager.

Or net time you go to the restaurant, get his head in the WC and flush the water, as you prefer.

pow wow

At least he doesn't say 'tick tick tick tick boom' when you walk into a room like my boss used to when I worked in Blighty and came to work with any kind of gearbag/parcel!

I'm sure if you seriously told him to ease off on it he would. Some people don't realise what a-holes they're being until it's pointed out, repeatedly.

PeakOutput

ellscurr wrote: »

At least he doesn't say 'tick tick tick tick boom' when you walk into a room like my boss used to when I worked in Blighty and came to work with any kind of gearbag/parcel!

haha thats hilarious i must remember that one when im in the states and certain ethnic groups walk into the room

sillo

ellscurr wrote: »

At least he doesn't say 'tick tick tick tick boom' when you walk into a room like my boss used to when I worked in Blighty and came to work with any kind of gearbag/parcel!

Good lord. That's quite outrageous

To OP: While such behaviour seems inappropriate to me personally and wouldn't be tolerated in many workplaces, you have to make your own mind up as to whether or not this is something worth creating a bigger issue out of. If so, speak to him again and make it clear you are not amused and not taking this lightly.

If he still keeps it up, bring it up with management.

dudara

Ask him to desist. Make a note of this conversation somewhere. If he continues, make notes detailing the comments and the time and date. Take your record to HR.

This is a form of harassment, and if you asking him to stop doesn't work, then you are perfectly entitled to bring HR into it.

I wouldn't make any comments back to him about the UK, otherwise you are doing the exact same as him.

This advice might seem very PC, but employers have to protect their employees and this kind of thing is taken quite seriously these days by most employers.

PauloMN

KTRIC wrote: »

I'm not sure what I should do next, if he brings it up again ?

Easy. Have another chat with him, in private. This time tell him - with the straightest face you can - that all your German colleagues think he's a real cnut, and that some of them have expressed to you their desire to "sort" him. ;-)

Then, once you smell the fear, tell him you're only joking of course, and give him a map of Ireland and Britain. Show him the different colours between the countries and he might get it.

daveirl

This post has been deleted.

the_syco

Some English actually think Ireland is part of England. Heck, some Americans think Europe is a country, so there's bound to be a few thick english.

Only other thing I can think of is to buy a nice old-fashioned "ticking clock" for your home, and mention "Tiocfaidh ár lá" to him, and see his reaction:D

If he runs out of the room, you'll know that he was winding you up. If he looks at you blankly, he's one of the rather dim english gents who still probably thinks that the world is flat.

KTRIC

Slight problem with reporting him to HR or management. We are both contractors and not permanent staff members. Although at the moment I am in the starting process of trying to become permanent staff.

I don't want to mess things up by reporting something to HR and seem like a moaner even before I get the job.

damnyanks

Just call him an idiot each time he says anything like that.

The actual issue really isnt a big deal. It's just a touchy subject for you.

Don't mind all this formal crap, you're better off just attacking his character in a passive agressive manner.

sillo

KTRIC wrote: »

I don't want to mess things up by reporting something to HR and seem like a moaner even before I get the job.

Then your hands are tied - you'll just have to suck it up and swallow the rage.

AARRRGH

Even though you're a contractor, I would think HR would still be concerned with trouble makers (contractors or not) in the office?

As daveirl said, German's really do like their rules. I doubt they would write it off as "just a laugh" as a lot of Irish HR people would...

eth0_

I don't really think it's the responsiblity of the clients HR department to sort this out. The OP should speak to his boss about this.

dublindude - why are you advertising what I presume are your businesses in your sig? Last time I checked that was against the rules..

AARRRGH

eth0_ wrote: »

dublindude - why are you advertising what I presume are your businesses in your sig? Last time I checked that was against the rules..

The websites aren't actually a business - I run them as a hobby (you can post jobs on my sites for free.)

I lose money by running them

EDIT: PS I think you're allowed advertise businesses anyway in sigs? e.g. Hosting365, Blacknight, etc.

calsatron

Coming from another angle on this I get comments all the time when I'm introduced to people either socially or professionally in Ireland. I'm from Glasgow and have quite a pronounced Glaswegian accent, this invariably leads to everyone's first question being "What team do you support?". Generally speaking, in Glasgow, this would be like starting a conversation with "So what’s your sexual orientation then?", i.e. highly inappropriate and potentially deliberately provocative.

I honestly think that the vast majority of the people who ask me do it because they are either genuinely interested or think it offers a wealth of comedic opportunities. I usually answer Partick Thistle, which kills it stone dead.

Take the guy to one side and explain the situation to him and then ask him to knock it on the head, for his own sake, as he's the one that’s looking like an idiot. If that fails then take it up with his line manager.

the_syco

dublindude wrote: »

EDIT: PS I think you're allowed advertise businesses anyway in sigs? e.g. Hosting365, Blacknight, etc.

Pretty sure they pay for the right. Ask in Helpdesk to be on the safe side.

KTRIC

Hate to drag up an old thread but many many months on this situation is just gone from bad to worse. This ass completely ignores me and when I'm trying to talk in a meeting etc he just talks over me and tries to better what I'm saying.

Recently it was announced that one of our team would have to be let go to make room for a team leader position because one of the team that the management had in mind for the position turned it down.

Since then the recluse English pr!ck has become everyones bestest friend, including the current stand in teamleader. I found this very suspicious and it didn't go unnoticed by another member of staff either.

Now to get to the best part, this c*nt applied for the TL job for our team behind everyones backs and has been temporarily appointed as my new TL starting next month.

Any idea what I can do with a colleague that ignores me and is going to be my new TL from next month ??

Getting a bit worried at the mo

jaggiebunnet

calsatron wrote: »

I usually answer Partick Thistle, which kills it stone dead.

Glad to see i am not the only one with this retort !!

SheroN

KTRIC wrote: »

Hate to drag up an old thread but many many months on this situation is just gone from bad to worse. This ass completely ignores me and when I'm trying to talk in a meeting etc he just talks over me and tries to better what I'm saying.

Recently it was announced that one of our team would have to be let go to make room for a team leader position because one of the team that the management had in mind for the position turned it down.

Since then the recluse English pr!ck has become everyones bestest friend, including the current stand in teamleader. I found this very suspicious and it didn't go unnoticed by another member of staff either.

Now to get to the best part, this c*nt applied for the TL job for our team behind everyones backs and has been temporarily appointed as my new TL starting next month.

Any idea what I can do with a colleague that ignores me and is going to be my new TL from next month ??

Getting a bit worried at the mo

Next time he say says Ireland is a part of GB, tell him it's not although they did try hard enough.

Or ask him is England still part of the Roman Empire.

KTRIC

SheroN wrote: »

Next time he say says Ireland is a part of GB, tell him it's not although they did try hard enough.

Or ask him is England still part of the Roman Empire.

He hasn't said anything recently, not even getting the time of day from him. I talk to him if it involves work, but I don't make small talk. I think this is getting to him.

I think I'm being civil but this guy just keeps trying to wind me up on the sly. He's started making loads of noises when eating / drinking while we're alone in the office, I think he's actually looking for a response from me, its soo childish.

I really don't know what to do , this guy will be my boss soon enough and there's f*ck all I can do about it. He's going to be an employee of the company and I'm still a contractor, so I haven't got a leg to stand on.

gustavo

To be honest I find it hard to blame British people for thinking that we are part of the UK given the way we show a great knowledge of their culture and the fact that so many of us can integrate over there seamlessly

mikemac

KTRIC wrote: »

Now to get to the best part, this c*nt applied for the TL job for our team behind everyones backs and has been temporarily appointed as my new TL starting next month.

Fair play to the guy, a position came up and he applied for it and got it.
And the reason you didn't apply for team leader is ................

KTRIC

micmclo wrote: »

Fair play to the guy, a position came up and he applied for it and got it.
And the reason you didn't apply for team leader is ................

Maybe because I didnt want it, did that dawn on you. I dont see how thats the issue. I dont begrudge him the position, hes the one with the issue and I'm not looking for career advice.

mikemac

Harsh reply there KTRIC.
I read through the thread, I was even the first to reply in Post 2
Man, this is an old thread!

If you didn't want the job then it's good you don't begrudge him. Not sure why "behind everyones backs" needs to be included then. Post reeked of bitterness to me anyway, that's how I read it

Best of luck in your situation anyway.

KTRIC

Sorry , wasnt being clear enough. Behind everyones backs because of the underhanded way he applied for the job.

To be honest if I was to go into detail id probably wear out my keyboard or smash it.

Short version is, new person joins team, takes dislike to me because of my nationality, brown noses the boss, acts like a pr!ck towards me and is now going to be my boss.

Looks like Im screwed, might start looking for a new job tomorrow.

SerialComplaint

KTRIC wrote: »

Any idea what I can do with a colleague that ignores me and is going to be my new TL from next month ??

Have you considered the option of just getting on with doing your job? He doesn't need to be your friend. He doesn't need your permission or approval to apply for the TL job.

If he talks over you in meetings, you have two choices;
1) Try saying politely and clearly 'I'd appreciate it if you didn't talk over me, as I don't find this conducive to good teamwork
2) Shut up, and email him your comments later to cover your ass.

It's really not that big a deal, unless you choose to make it a big deal. You can of course try to find a new job, but the chances are that you'll have problems with some guy at the new job too. Just deal with it and move on.

the_syco

SerialComplaint wrote: »

Have you considered the option of just getting on with doing your job? He doesn't need to be your friend. He doesn't need your permission or approval to apply for the TL job.

But he should be polite towards his co-workers.

=-=

KTRIC: I'd have taken out a subscription of An Phoblacht, and leave a copy lying around. Unless you need a nice reference from the place, have fun with his mind before you leave.

Oh, and buy a t-shirt. Ah sure, if he thinks the Republic is part of the empire, he won't know who the 'RA is, would he?

KTRIC

SerialComplaint wrote: »

Have you considered the option of just getting on with doing your job? He doesn't need to be your friend. He doesn't need your permission or approval to apply for the TL job.

If he talks over you in meetings, you have two choices;
1) Try saying politely and clearly 'I'd appreciate it if you didn't talk over me, as I don't find this conducive to good teamwork
2) Shut up, and email him your comments later to cover your ass.

To be honest as I said I couldn't care one way or another if he got the TL job or not, thats not the issue, which you would have seen if you read my posts.

The thing is I am polite to him, I do talk to him when I have to and its related to work. This seems to be an issue for him though as hes mentioned it to others. I'm not there to be his friend and after the comments he made (more than just political at this stage) thats never going to be the case.


After speaking in lenght to another colleague about this I have come to the conclusion that I might be taking to the wall regarding doing anything about this guy. At the end of the day I'm there to get my money and because its good thats the only thing holding me in the job.

I did have some fun yesterday when I found an Irish radio station on iTunes that plays old rebel songs, his attitude changed a bit after listening to that for the evening.

Thanks for the comments guys, gives me something to think about.

Agent Smith

Get one of these.