TrainingBriefs® That’s Not Funny!

Regardless of your position, title or level in the organization, it is your job—and the job of every employee—to help create a professional workplace by demonstrating appropriate behavior. When it comes to telling jokes, there’s a fine line between funny and disrespectful. We can’t always know what may be offensive just by looking at someone.

Work should be enjoyable, but telling jokes that put people down or make fun of disabilities may be offensive, disrespectful or even disruptive. Telling an offensive joke once may not be illegal, or even a violation of policy.