Joke gone bad in our newsletter

nohr4u1yr

I have never had to deal with this type of situation so I REALLY need some advice...sorry this is SO long!

First, we have about 150 employees and our corporate culture is pretty laid back, we do joke around a lot and have an excellent "work-family" setting.

So, with that said...We put out a quarterly newsletter and this one we decided to poke fun at our uppermanagement staff. (myself included) The newsletter we made it look and read like a National Inquirer.

Everyone was asked prior to the jab about themselves being printed - except for one person. (not on purpose) Well, this person is upset about what was posted.

This manager a couple of years ago wore this carmel colored speedo and was the "butt" of a lot of jokes. (he joined in as well-he is also a fair skinned black man) Which made it look like he was wearing nothing at all since it matched his skin tone.

On our managers cruise a couple of months ago we were all at the pool and he wore it again stating "I thought you guys probably missed this".

Well, in our newsletter we have a picture of his face and a small picture of a carmel colored speedo and the ad read's "The flesh toned speedo -available at Joel's".

He became very upset about this and picked up his things and left the office saying if anyone needs him to call his cell phone.

Of course we ALL feel horrible as our intend was not to upset him - any suggestions on how to smooth this over...

Thank you...

HRinNH

I think a sincere written apology in the "Inquirer" in warranted...for starters.

Cheryl C.

Gillian3

Apologize.

nohr4u1yr

He is back in our office speaking to one of our VP's and he has smoothed things over. I guess he felt that he would loose some ground some with his employees.

We are going to send him an apology and give him a gift certificate to a fancy restuarant.

Kai

Why not take this opportunity to do a bit of training on how easily unintended comments or assumptions based on familarity can become serious workplace problems? It's an unfortunate reality that even the most laid back, 'friendly' workplace simply cannot afford to make assumptions based on familarity -- been there done that. In your next quarterly newsletter you can ( get legal counsel involved ) write the apology and use it as a segue to a brief training session. This puts it in the record that you reacted quickly (well, maybe 3 months isn't exactly 'quickly') to the work place faux pas and had the guts to address it head on.

dchr9203

Yep. About all you can do at this point is sincerely, and publicly, apologize. A manager's cruise!? I wanna work for your company!

nohr4u1yr

Yup - a cruise - last year we went to Key West!

nohr4u1yr

Whew! We are out of the weeds - he spoke his peace - we feel horrible - everything is back to normal.

System

maybe he was most upset at the term "flesh toned", viewing it as some sort of affront to his color.......just a thought

HRinNH

I'm told I'd make a pretty good Cruise Director. Where do I send my resume'?

Cheryl C.

System

He wore flesh-colored speedos in front of co-workers? I'd think it would be hard to embarrass this guy. x:-8

James Sokolowski
HRhero.com

nohr4u1yr

"He wore flesh-colored speedos in front of co-workers? I'd think it would be hard to embarrass this guy."


I know!...I guess he just thought that he would grace us...being co-workers in upper management to see for ourselves...(nevermind) xflash

But, all is well again within the "LCF Family"

I hope you all have a safe and happy 4th!!!!

LivindonSouth

How do you offend/embarass a grown man who is bold enough to parade around in a speedo? I think it was nuts to offer an apology. Maybe HE should have apologized for showing up in front of coworkers with that on; and, to make his point, he did it again and called attention to himself. Maybe the 'pruning effect' caused his embarassment. But, he caused the whole thing, you did not.

To make a point, what if a female coworker had showed up parading around in a thong bikini, spilling out of the top. (A red one at that!). Then she did it again and said, "Just in case you didn't see this earlier, here it is again." How in the hell can you embarass such a bold, forward person?

Rockie

Classic example of a "laid back" atmosphere getting out of hand.

I've learned from various "faux paus" in the workplace that there is probably no joke ever told that will not be offensive to someone. Sometimes the person who is offended is the one you would least expect this from. Example: Co-worker who constantly jokes about his age "being an old man", etc. But let someone else take up the gauntlet and tease him back, then all of a sudden it's an age discrimination case.

Unfortunately, there is a very fine line that is very easy to cross in the workplace in our quest to be "laid back and family friendly". Chances are your family won't sue you (maybe), but your coworkers certainly will.

LivindonSouth

Don't forget Rockie, this occured on a company cruise, where I'm assuming scant clothing and liquor were the order of the day. Not exactly telling an age joke in the office.

Balloonman1

Your mistake was not disciplining him for wearing the banana hammock the first time!!!!!

My $0.02 worth,
The Balloonman

LivindonSouth

How would you suggest that discipline would be appropriate when, on a company cruise, on what I assume to be open waters, an employee wore a swimming suit of his choice? Discipline would not be appropriate. When companies go to this extreme to inappropriately reward performance, they deserve what they get.





Disclaimer: This message is not intended to offend or attack. It is posted as personal opinion and with the gentlest of intentions.

nohr4u1yr

Disclaimer: This message is not intended to offend or attack. It is posted as personal opinion and with the gentlest of intentions.

I must say - I LOVE the disclaimer!!! xclap

Have a great day!!!

LivindonSouth

Well, since 'banana hammock' got under the radar, I'm sure this will. The guy was no doubt disappointed, when, what he hoped would be the company celebration of a Ballpark Frank turned out instead to be the coming out party of a vienna sausage. x:-)




Disclaimer: This message is not intended to offend or attack. It is posted as personal opinion. If you find yourself offended or uncomfortable, email me and let me know why.