Should we ban the banter?

Recently on the HRDIRECTOR, Kate Nowlan, discussed research published by the Trades Unions Congress that reports half of women have experienced sexual harassment during their career.

According to Kate, the core issue highlighted by the report is workplace banter: “…the thin line between humour and something inappropriate and threatening. No-one, obviously, wants an employee to feel uncomfortable, belittled or scared. But at the other end of the spectrum – as part of a new culture of fear and suspicion – is a rush of improper behaviour cases, formal complaints against managers by disgruntled staff, more employees turning immediately to their Union for reparations.”

In her article she highlights the challenges that HR face in managing banter in the workplace and discusses what companies can do to ensure that what, at first glance, seems like inoffensive banter, doesn’ t become harassment.

You can read the full article here.