Innocent Office Joke Turns Into HR Nightmare! Was This Coworker Wrong?

Uh oh, looks like someone’s inside joke just turned into an HR nightmare! When a new coworker overheard our sassy protagonist’s long-running gag with her work bestie, things took a turn for the worse. Despite being told it was all in good fun, the newbie went straight to HR to complain! Now, our heroine is left wondering if she’s the a-hole for avoiding her tattletale colleague. Buckle up, folks, because this office drama is about to get juicy!

The Inside Joke Gone Wrong

Referring to the Boss as the ‘Boyfriend’

The Notorious Womanizer

Gio’s In On The Joke

Coworkers Get a Kick Out of It

The Misunderstanding

HR Gets Involved

‍♀️ Avoiding the New Coworker

The Office Joke That Sparked an HR Firestorm

Well, well, well… looks like our protagonist’s hilarious inside joke with her work husband has landed her in some hot water! Despite the fact that her coworker Gio was totally in on the gag, the new girl in the office just couldn’t resist stirring the pot. Even after being told it was all harmless fun, she ran straight to HR to tattle! ‍♀️ Now, our sassy heroine is left wondering if she’s the a-hole for giving her loose-lipped colleague the cold shoulder. Let’s see what the internet has to say about this juicy office drama!

New coworker causes HR issue by not following office norms. NTA

A commenter calls out unprofessional behavior in the office.

NTA. Office joke turned HR nightmare? Avoid her, be polite.

NAH. Kate did the right thing, but a conversation is needed.

Homophobic joke at work – YTA, apologize and avoid repetition.

Be professional with coworker who can’t take a joke

Homophobic jokes at work? YTA. HR reports help everyone.

Navigating HR complaints and professional workplace conduct. ‍

Inappropriate office joke causes HR nightmare, commenter calls out wrong behavior.

Insensitive joke at work and justified concern for HR backlash

Blue collar worker grateful to avoid office drama. NTA.

Making sexual harassment and discrimination jokes is unacceptable. YTA.

Joke about someone’s sexuality at work? YTA and HR nightmare

Photoshopped gay couple’s picture as a birthday joke

Making jokes about someone’s sexuality is not appropriate. YTA

Be careful using company email for jokes. Could lead to trouble

Homophobic joke created toxic environment at work. YTA.

Mocking a gay relationship with a coworker is inappropriate and unprofessional. YTA.

NTA, but coworker went too far by involving HR

Homophobic office jokes can create a toxic and unwelcoming environment.

Mocking homosexuality and implying lack of skills is unprofessional YTA behavior.

NTA, but OP needs to let it go and move on

Making homophobic jokes is not okay. YTA.

Insensitive inside jokes and cheering at sexual harassment- YTA

Gay commenter approves of office joke but warns of professionalism

Office jokes can make others uncomfortable. YTA in this case

Being unprofessional at work can have serious consequences. YTA.

Insensitive joke leads to HR nightmare. YTA gets called out.

Avoiding co-worker after complaint? YTA and risking retaliation.

Insensitive joke made at work; potential example in harassment training.

Don’t retaliate against a complaint. Let it go ‍♂️

Insensitive joke about being gay, called out for being offensive.

Be careful with office jokes, YTA. It could lead to legal trouble

Professional setting isn’t a joke. YTA, grow up.

Inappropriate joke at work leads to HR nightmare. YTA.

Redditor reminds everyone of harassment training with funny video

Office veteran shares experience with NTA verdict, new coworker’s interference.

Being unprofessional and insensitive at work is not okay! YTA

Queer commenter calls out unprofessional and exhausting office joke. YTA.

Seniority doesn’t excuse unprofessional and offensive remarks. YTA. ‍♂️

Making gay jokes at work is hostile and unprofessional. YTA

Queer coworker explains why the joke was insensitive and hurtful.

Be professional and considerate of others’ feelings at work. YTA.

Insensitive joke at work? YTA. Consider your coworkers’ feelings

Be civil and professional with Kate to avoid retaliation.

Loud office joke leads to HR nightmare. YTA for being unprofessional.

Workplace jokes can make others uncomfortable. Be considerate of coworkers.

Insensitive coworker gets called out for making offensive jokes.

Joking about coworkers’ attraction? YTA. Keep it professional at work.

Words of wisdom: harassment affects everyone in the room.

Clarification needed on level of avoidance behavior, potential AH behavior.

Addressing offensive jokes at work is important. YTA in denial.

Making inappropriate jokes at work can lead to HR issues.

Joking about false rumors? YTA according to fellow coworker.

Making a joke about someone’s sexuality at work is unprofessional

Making inappropriate jokes at work? YTA. Textbook harassment.

User calls out OP for using gay relationships as a punchline ️‍

YTA for making outdated, homophobic office jokes. Grow up.

Reddit users lack professional experience according to commenter.

Insensitive joke caused workplace discomfort, YTA.

Office joke causes offense, but no a-hole here.

Joke made her uncomfortable, so YTA. End of story.

Be professional and avoid being labeled as a problem employee!

Sexual jokes at work? Not cool. Even if it’s a joke.

When does a joke cross the line? Consider others’ perspectives.

Sci-fi quote highlights sensitivity in workplace. NAH vote explained.

Don’t retaliate against your coworker for HR report

Making offensive jokes at work? YTA

HR department mystery: Who complained against the innocent joke?

The commenter shares a personal experience of how such jokes can be hurtful and create a hostile environment for LGBT people. They advise against using the joke in the workplace and highlight the potential discomfort it may cause for new employees. #NotFunny #LGBTQ+

Homophobic joke at work? YTA. Let’s keep it professional.

Be mindful of inside jokes in the workplace. Soft YTA

YTA for making inappropriate and obnoxious gay joke at work.

ESH. Kate should’ve talked to you and Gio first. Unprofessional behavior.

YTA for avoiding coworker, consider asking Ask A Manager for advice.

Joking about someone’s sexuality can lead to a hostile work environment