"If people were harassing you about your MJ legalization stance (or anything, for that matter), then it probably would be appropriate to go to HR about."
I'm not talking about being harassed. I'm talking about just mentioning it. Just like the girl that wrote that bot that was here on HN and just like the discussion here. Using the term "gang raped" isn't being harassed personally.
It doesn't end here because people will go to HR and get you fired for just mentioning something they deem "offensive".
That's why I talk about silencing. Some people just can't ignore it and want to get the other person silenced. This same type of person has gotten radio hosts fired as well.
I've seen this happen in almost every workplace where I've worked in the past 10 years.
I've seen this happen in almost every workplace where I've worked in the past 10 years.
You've actually seen people get fired based entirely on a single complaint about a single non-harassing offensive remark? I personally haven't seen anyone fired in this way. It's possible that this phenomenon is pervasive and I'm just ignorant, I guess.
But I'll be honest and step forward and say it: some kinds of speech should be silenced in a professional workplace, (yes, even startups). Sexist or racist or any other sort of othering language is neither appropriate nor necessary.
I know what this means. I'm generally a moderate person, but I do hold some pretty extreme views. I know that even though I have free-speech, I don't have consequence-free-speech and I am mature enough to silence myself when needed. The things that are OK for me to say over a beer with a friend on Friday night aren't OK for me to say around the water cooler on Monday morning. That's just part of being a professional.
If you want to be offensive and edgy, that's great. I love offensive and edgy. Just don't do it at work.
I'm not talking about being harassed. I'm talking about just mentioning it. Just like the girl that wrote that bot that was here on HN and just like the discussion here. Using the term "gang raped" isn't being harassed personally.
It doesn't end here because people will go to HR and get you fired for just mentioning something they deem "offensive".
That's why I talk about silencing. Some people just can't ignore it and want to get the other person silenced. This same type of person has gotten radio hosts fired as well.
I've seen this happen in almost every workplace where I've worked in the past 10 years.