I have mentioned this before so forgive the repeat. At my final job I had to sign a multi-page “ethics” agreement. Among the things that were forbidden were jokes, of any type. I asked the HR lady why and with rounded, wide eyes she said, “Oh, you have NO idea who you might offend!” Among the things we could not do was have “any personal or non-business discussion on company property.” I was almost disciplined for a conversation at lunch with a machinist who made his own guns. It was about concealed carry. The HR lady was sitting behind us and she was offended. I was called into a Vice President’s office and lectured. This was a Fortune 500 company.
One reason for all of this was the company’s interpretation of their government contracts which mandated an inclusive, non-threatening environment. (It was way down in the fine print in referenced sub-documents.)
I’m Boston Irish.
I grew up,many years ago,with “Thick Mick” jokes.
We didn’t even care.
.