How do you deal with a team that normalises sarcastic humour that’s “just jokes”, but actually undermines people? Where do you draw the line?

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The next time it happens at your expense…

“You know…we are all adults. I wish if you had a problem with my work that you’d come to me directly so we can talk about it, over making sarcastic jokes. This doesn’t get us anywhere.”

Deliver it seriously and confidently. They’ll be embarrassed and likely backtrack.

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I’m a big fan of…if you make me unnecessarily uncomfortable…you’re going to feel that right back and probably 5x. I’m petty. But it works!

You educate people that sarcasm in the workplace is not OK. People should know their audience. Meaning sarcasm between people privately peer to peer only may be OK. Never do it in earshot of others and never do it from Boss to employee or vice versa.

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I think you’re correct, when people don’t know better they just get away with it!

Are the people who are being undermined present during these meetings and are they offended or are you personally offended? What is your position on this team? Are you in the leadership role?

As a project manager, my approach after someone says something inappropriate in a meeting is to state, “can we please keep things professional here? This really isn’t the place for that kind of sarcasm.” Or I might have a private one on one conversation depending on my work relationship with them.

However you decide to address the issue, take into consideration the personality you are dealing with. If they respond with anger, there can be quiet retaliation in the form of micro aggression, etc later down the road that can affect the project.

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I’d call it out, gently that is. I’m not always the best at being as tactful as I can be 😬 but I hate those veiled jokes. It’s definitely one of my pet peeves. Good luck!

I agree! It’s tough though! And me too, I really hate them!

Call it out gently at the beginning. When you really think about it, it shouldn’t have to be called out, but it really depends on the work environment and a business. If nothing gets done, it’s only going to get worse.

I think you’re correct, some people just don’t know better so need to be called out!

Just ignore those jokes

Sometimes it happens so much it is hard to ignore!

Your thick skin is your shield in the corporate world

Very true!

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