Workplace Banter: When “banter” is not just banter

Banter is a term widely used in all social and workplace settings and can be fun and connect us, but when does “the playful and friendly exchange of teasing remarks” cross the line into something that may cause offence, be discriminatory or bullying.

To be clear this interactive session does not try to encourage a no banter culture, but is enables a discussion of what constitutes banter and what doesn’t and how it can be dealt with by individual staff when people ‘cross the line’.

Participants will have an opportunity to:

• Discuss what banter is and what is OK and what isn’t
• Discuss a case study of a situation where banter becomes inappropriate and why it is inappropriate and what can be done in those circumstances
• Learn about some legal cases
• Plan a way forward for the organisation