Think before you speak

First, there are allegations, reported by the Guernsey Press today, that Aurigny staff used ‘disgusting’ and ‘shocking’ language about disabled customers during a recent meeting.

Secondly, speaking on a recent Guernsey Press Politics Podcast, Deputy David Mahoney said that ‘there’s no room for crybabies’ in a corporate boardroom. The former Policy & Resources member said that highly paid senior staff should be able to accept a colleague raising their voice and saying ‘a few mean words’.

It also came to light at this month’s States meeting that Deputy John Dyke had fired off insults about a fellow deputy on a WhatsApp group between members of the DPA, for which he later apologised, blaming his words on his ‘frustration and slight bad temper’.

Of course, it’s not unusual, particularly in high-stress situations, for people to allow their anger to get the better of them. Does that make it OK? Not according to the leaders of the Chamber of Commerce, Guernsey International Business Association and Institute of Directors. Speaking in response to Deputy Mahoney’s comments, they said ‘personal attacks and unkind remarks’ were never acceptable in such an environment.

In today’s ‘cancel culture’ society, it has never been more important to be careful what you say, even in jest.

No matter how private you believe a discussion to be, it's always possible that your words could be shared.