Members in one area of Lloyds received an unsolicited email inviting them to participate in National Inclusion Week by attending a meeting to learn more about the LBG Inclusive Networks. However, instead of leaving it at that the author of the email unleashed the following political statement:
“Monday, 15th September is here, and as we greet each other with the usual “How was your weekend? Do anything nice?” We might find ourselves reflecting on the recent Tony Robinson [sic – see below] far-right hate marches or the union jacks draped around the country.
It’s hard to ignore the heavy atmosphere and the increasingly divisive state of our country, Great Britain.
What’s happening in our political and social climate? What do freedom, safety, and equality truly mean for us today?
We are all aware of the current environment, which has been simmering with hate, discrimination, and a lack of education, ultimately leading to racial tensions.
The words “You are not welcome in this country, your lot do not deserve to be here, get out” are all too familiar-a mirror reflecting our society’s challenges.”.
Since when did it become acceptable for a member of staff to make a political statement in an email to other members of staff with the full support of senior management?
We’re all entitled to our own political views but many choose not to discuss them at work for fear of causing offence. And the reality is that the more we allow people to claim they have been offended because they disagree with another person beliefs, the more such people will claim the opportunity to be offended. The Union dealt with a case last year involving a member who posted his views on a controversial subject. One of the complainants said she felt offended. When interviewed she said:
“I don’t think we should stray into not being allowed freedom of speech. I’m trying not to say anything controversial but anyone can have opinions but some are wrong”
So, the complainant was offended only because she disagreed with the views of our member. That’s the kind of messed up world we live in now.
Can you imagine what would happen to members of staff who issued emails like the one above but from the opposite point of view? They would quickly find themselves subject to disciplinary action for causing offence.
Political messages (and discrimination) have no place in Lloyds Banking Group or any other workplace. The fact that Lloyds supported the sending of that message is deeply worrying.
The person on the Group Executive Committee responsible for signing this off should identify him or herself so we all know who told the writer that this was a good idea! When the Bank’s ‘inclusivity dictionary’ was rolled out last year it turned into a shambles. It had to be quickly rolled back following a political storm in the media. Members of the GEC should stick to banking and leave the politics to politicians.”.
Finally, if you’re going to issue an email like that get your facts right. It’s ‘Tommy Robinson’ not ‘Tony Robinson’. Tony Robinson played Baldrick – “I have a cunning plan” – in ‘Blackadder’.
Members with any questions on this Newsletter should contact the Union’s Advice Team on 01234 262868 (choose Option 1).
MEMBERS SHOULD PASS THIS NEWSLETTER ON TO THEIR COLLEAGUES SO THEY TOO CAN BENEFIT FROM THE ONLY INDEPENDENT TRADE UNION IN LLOYDS AND HALIFAX