Sounds like a case of "as ye sow, shall ye reap" for Ms Neo-Con. Which unfortunately is likely only to confirm to her that [random minority group] is touchy/out to get her instead of being a teachable moment where she could learn that her speech and attitudes can be offensive and need amending.

If anyone runs across an escaped chimp, could you show them to my bathroom?

Seriously! If it'll lure her to Chicago, I'm considering changing my tag back to, "It began with Judy, the obligatory chimp."

If the keepers don't start leaving cleaning supplies behind in Judy's cage for her future amusement, they're missing a bet.

::looks into attaching four sponges to my cat's feet::

No, the offended person was black.

That's better, then, I guess -- the person was actually offended on his/her own behalf, not the behalf of people who may or may not have been offended.

"as ye sow, shall ye reap"

I wouldn't disagree with this, but.... ::sigh:: I don't know how I feel.

not the behalf of people who may or may not have been offended

But there's the rub - that's how she apparently reported it to HR. She was offended on behalf of the others. Who all stated that they weren't actually offended. I think that's how she managed not to get written up.

But there's the rub - that's how she apparently reported it to HR. She was offended on behalf of the others. Who all stated that they weren't actually offended. I think that's how she managed not to get written up.

Well, the standard isn't really whether somebody gets offended but whether it contributes to an oppressive atmosphere in the office. A lot of people are made uncomfortable and won't directly confront the person who's making the commentary but that commentary still makes the company liable.

In brief, from an HR point of view if you're spouting off on something loudly enough to be overheard and it isn't directly work related and it is potentially offensive, then you shouldn't be spouting off. It's not your job and you're putting the company in a place where they have to make an effort to correct your work behavior.

Signed,
Lives In California Where Everybody's Right To Come To Work Cross Dressed Is Protected By Law

I agree with everything Hec just said.

I don't think it was "spouting off"... It's a small suite, so you could probably hear a conversation-level voice throughout the whole thing, but....

Ack. I don't know how to interpret this. I'm a big fan of "keep your yap shut at work on all fronts and let other people's attitudes roll off you." I think it just ends up that both people are in the wrong.

Why on earth am I even partially defending my Rush-Limbaugh-loving coworker?!? But I do think the other woman overreacted.

This is why I'm not in HR.

24: Apparently, they have released the first 4 hours of this season on dvd as of yesterday.

Odd, no?

And it's on Netflix.

No one answers their work phone anymore. I find this especially annoying as I have to answer mine.

I'm currently stressing out because I have a voicemail from my big boss, but I'm on a conference call. I hate not answering my phone! Of course, I hate answering it, too -- mostly I just wish people would not call me.