Banter or Bullying? Knowing when the line has been crossed

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Humour and banter can be part of everyday working life. People joke with each other, have a laugh and sometimes give as good as they get.

But what happens when one person isn’t laughing?

Something that feels harmless to one person can feel very different to someone else. A joke can become uncomfortable, unwanted or harmful, and it isn’t always obvious when the situation has changed.

This interactive course explores what can change workplace banter, what to look out for and what you can do when something doesn’t feel right.

Through realistic workplace situations, you’ll consider different perspectives, make decisions and explore how to respond without jumping to conclusions or making assumptions about how someone feels.

The aim isn’t to stop people having a laugh at work. It’s about recognising when something may have changed and knowing how to respond appropriately.

Estimated completion time: 15–20 minutes

This course will help you:

Explore why there isn’t always a clear moment when banter crosses a line.

You’ll look beyond whether someone laughs or joins in and consider the whole situation before deciding whether something may need attention.

Consider the different things that can change how workplace behaviour is experienced.

You’ll explore impact, boundaries, patterns, power and context, including what happens when one person repeatedly becomes the focus or finds it difficult to speak up.

Explore what happens when someone tells you that a joke or comment isn’t OK with them.

You’ll consider why someone’s previous reaction doesn’t override what they are telling you now, and how to respond constructively if you are the person who has crossed a boundary.

Explore practical options when behaviour is making you or someone else uncomfortable.

This includes checking in privately, making a boundary clear, talking to someone you trust, keeping a factual record and following your organisation’s process for raising concerns.

Work through realistic workplace situations where the answer isn’t always immediately obvious.

You’ll make decisions about what you know, what you shouldn’t assume and what a proportionate next step might look like.

Average Review Score:
★★★★★

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