We’ve all heard it before. Someone makes an inappropriate comment. Everyone around them reacts negatively, understanding that this is something they shouldn’t have said. But that person just laughs it off and says it was “just a joke.” They didn’t mean anything wrong, so they think it’s not a problem.
But it certainly may be. A joke could be sexual harassment, for instance. If people are constantly telling jokes that are inappropriate in nature—especially if they are at the expense of a certain coworker—that could create a hostile work environment. Additionally, a comment not have been a joke at all. A person may have fully meant their comment, but they’re just using “it was a joke” as an excuse after the fact.
What should you do if this happens to you?
The first time someone tells an inappropriate joke, it may be best to simply ask them not to do so in the future. There’s a chance they honestly didn’t know they were crossing a line and didn’t mean any harm. Maybe they will refrain from that behavior in the future, and then the issue will be resolved.
But if they double down and continue to tell these “jokes,” then it may be time to take more action. Be sure to document everything that you can. Save videos, pictures, email messages or text messages. It can also be helpful to get witness statements. Even if you were the target of these inappropriate jokes—maybe the other person was making crude comments about your appearance or your sexual orientation—others may have witnessed the interaction and can back up your story.
Sexual harassment cases can be very complex, and both sides often do not agree on exactly what took place. That’s just one of the reasons why it’s so important to know about all of your legal rights and the steps you can take at this time.