New Coworker Reports Innocent Inside Joke to HR ‍♀️

We’ve all had that one coworker who just doesn’t get the office humor, right? Well, this story is about a new coworker, Kate, who overhears an inside joke between two friends and takes it way too seriously. She ends up reporting it to HR, creating a whole lot of drama. Let’s dive into this wild tale of office misunderstandings and see if our protagonist is in the wrong for avoiding Kate after the incident.

The Inside Joke

Why Drew?

Drew’s Notorious Past

The Joke Stays Between Friends

Gio’s Birthday Surprise

Everyone’s Laughing

Enter New Coworker Kate ‍♀️

Kate Gets the Wrong Idea

Kate Takes Action

HR Gets Involved

Cleared of Wrongdoing ✅

Avoiding Kate

Boyfriend’s Take on the Situation ‍♂️

The Missing Conversation ️

Inside Joke Gone Wrong: Who’s the Real A**hole?

So, our protagonist and her coworker Gio have a harmless inside joke about Gio’s former boss Drew being his ‘boyfriend.’ But when new coworker Kate overhears the joke, she reports it to HR without even talking to Gio first. Our protagonist is cleared of any wrongdoing, but she’s understandably upset and has been avoiding Kate ever since. ‍♀️ Some may argue that Kate was just trying to do the right thing, but others might say she should’ve talked to Gio first. Let’s check out what the internet has to say about this sticky situation…

Avoiding a troublemaker coworker after an innocent joke accusation. NTA

NTA coworker needs to grow up ‍♀️ and respect seniors.

Debate over whether the joke was homophobic or unprofessional at work

NTA. Coworker needs to understand dynamics before reporting to HR ‍♀️

NAH. Kate did what she thought was right, but communication is key.

Retire the joke and rib each other over something else. YTA ‍♂️

Maintain professionalism with coworker who reported inside joke to HR

Toxic office culture and homophobic jokes lead to HR report

Navigating HR complaints and retaliation concerns

Inappropriate inside joke causes discomfort and damages reputation ‍♀️

Using someone’s sexuality as a joke is inappropriate at work.

Blue-collar worker defends crass jokes, white-collar worker disagrees

YTA made a homophobic joke and retaliated when reported.

Debate on the punchline of the joke and YTA verdict

Innocent inside joke leads to HR complaint ‍♀️

Commenter finds situation strange, but not the a**hole.

Debate over joke’s homophobia sparks discussion among gay commenters ‍ ‍♂️

Homophobic joke creates toxic work environment, YTA

Be careful with company email It could lead to trouble

Inappropriate office joke leads to justified firing. YTA ‍♀️

Homophobic joke in the workplace raises red flags

NTA, but HR overreaction creates unnecessary drama ‍♀️

Commenter calls out inappropriate workplace behavior.

Mandatory reporting is important, YTA for not understanding that

Insulting and unprofessional behavior at work. YTA. ‍♀️

Homophobic joke defended in comment section

Reported inside joke contributes to harmful stereotype. YTA.

Insensitive joke makes workplace unsafe for LGBTQ+ employees

Insensitive joke leads to YTA judgement and call for professionalism.

Inappropriate joke at work reported to HR, YTA ‍♀️

Avoiding coworker after HR complaint? YTA and risking retaliation. ‍♀️

Being gay, NTA finds the joke not offensive. Office environment matters.

Commenter accuses joke of being homophobic. Awkwardness ensues. ‍♀️

Don’t retaliate against a coworker who reported you to HR

Insensitive joke backfires, called out for homophobia

Inappropriate joke at work leads to retaliation accusation

Legal consequences for ignoring coworker’s discomfort with inside joke

New coworker reports innocent joke to HR, gets put in place

Redditors need a refresher on harassment training

Professional setting, grow up

Don’t let an inside joke ruin your professional reputation ‍♀️

Commenter defends OP and insults others. Classic Reddit

Sexual harassment is never an innocent joke

YTA called out for unprofessional behavior and retaliation.

Queer person calls out unprofessional and exhausting joke. YTA.

Queer perspective on insensitive jokes in the workplace ‍

Making inappropriate jokes at work is textbook harassment

Innocent joke or not, YTA for making it uncomfortable for others ‍♀️