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Person With A Disability Made A Joke About Their Fake Leg And Got Fired
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Person With A Disability Made A Joke About Their Fake Leg And Got Fired

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When you joke around friends and say something that is too much, they might get offended, but if you are truly good friends, you can work it out. But everything you say at work can be used against you, even if you consider your colleagues friends.

This person thought that joking about their amputated leg during lunch with their colleagues that they had a good relationship with would make them laugh, but they actually got reported and then terminated for inappropriate behavior.

More info: Reddit

RELATED:

    Laughter usually breaks the tension, but not in this person’s case, as they actually got fired

    Image credits: Jack Sparrow (not the actual image)

    They wanted to support their coworker struggling with weight and snapped off their fake leg to show how easy it is for them to lose 10 pounds

    Image credits: SHVETS production (not the actual image)

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    Image credits: MART PRODUCTION (not the actual image)

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    Image credits: [deleted]

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    But the joke didn’t land and soon after, they got a call about being terminated for “inappropriate behavior”

    The Original Poster (OP) thought that their colleagues were their friends as they would go out for lunch every Sunday when their work week ended. The last time they met, one of the women there opened up about dieting and struggling with weight loss.

    As a friend, the OP wanted to cheer up the woman and joked about being able to lose 10 pounds in an instant, and then removed their prosthetic leg to prove their point. It’s not clear how the woman reacted immediately, but she reported it, so the amputee no longer has a job.

    It wasn’t the first time the Redditor has used this kind of humor and they know that they push boundaries with it, but this time, they guess they went too far, although most of the commenters disagreed and found the joke hilarious.

    Readers were also bothered that it happened outside of working hours and the OP still got fired for it, so they suggested suing, but the former employee explained that the word spreads fast and it can prevent them from getting a new job, so they are not planning on it.

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    Image credits: ANTONI SHKRABA production (not the actual image)

    Another thing that redditors pointed out was that the OP wasn’t making fun of others, but themselves instead, so they were confused about what was inappropriate about it. They actually applauded the OP for being able to laugh about their disability.

    According to Nicolas Steenhout who is a consultant about inclusion, accessibility and disability, people with disabilities often make themselves the subject of their jokes and the people “who take offense are often people who don’t have a disability.”

    He doesn’t have an explanation why, but it’s clear that they “are just uncomfortable with this kind of humor. And maybe that discomfort is a reflection of their general discomfort with people with disabilities at large.”

    Also, humor and comedy are known to be used as a coping mechanism to overcome trauma. Expert in human behavior Claire Brummell says that “The first need we are trying to meet with dark humor is our need to experience and express the full spectrum of emotion. <…> …dark humor can be a way of trying to welcome in other emotions, like amusement or some sort of cheer, so we are no longer only battling with the more challenging emotions.”

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    Not only that, but Harvard Business Review found that “One good laugh—or better still, a workplace culture that encourages levity—facilitates interpersonal communication and builds social cohesion.”

    At the same time, if the joke was not funny or even offensive, it can harm professional relationships and harm someone’s image. They mention that in some cases, inappropriate jokes can cause people to lose their jobs.

    Do you think the OP’s joke was so inappropriate that firing them was justified? Do you think they invalidated the coworker’s struggle by making the joke or do you think it was supportive as it was intended? Let us know your thoughts in the comments.

    Redditors, on the other hand, found the person’s humor funny and were confused as to how they could be fired for mocking themselves outside work

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    Jurgita Dominauskaitė

    Jurgita Dominauskaitė

    Writer, BoredPanda staff

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    Having started as a content creator that made articles for Bored Panda from scratch I climbed my way up to being and editor and then had team lead responsibilities added as well. So it was a pretty natural transition from writing articles and titles as well as preparing the visual part for the articles to making sure others are doing those same tasks as I did before well, answering their questions and guiding them when needed. Eventually I realized editing gives me the most enjoyment and I'm focusing only on that right now.

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    Jurgita Dominauskaitė

    Jurgita Dominauskaitė

    Writer, BoredPanda staff

    Having started as a content creator that made articles for Bored Panda from scratch I climbed my way up to being and editor and then had team lead responsibilities added as well. So it was a pretty natural transition from writing articles and titles as well as preparing the visual part for the articles to making sure others are doing those same tasks as I did before well, answering their questions and guiding them when needed. Eventually I realized editing gives me the most enjoyment and I'm focusing only on that right now.

    Monika Pašukonytė

    Monika Pašukonytė

    Author, BoredPanda staff

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    I am a visual editor here. In my free time I enjoy the vibrant worlds of art galleries, exhibitions, and soulful concerts. Yet, amidst life's hustle and bustle, I find solace in nature's embrace, cherishing tranquil moments with beloved friends. Deep within, I hold a dream close - to embark on a global journey in an RV, accompanied by my faithful canine companion. Together, we'll wander through diverse cultures, weaving precious memories under the starry night sky, fulfilling the wanderlust that stirs my soul.

    Read less »

    Monika Pašukonytė

    Monika Pašukonytė

    Author, BoredPanda staff

    I am a visual editor here. In my free time I enjoy the vibrant worlds of art galleries, exhibitions, and soulful concerts. Yet, amidst life's hustle and bustle, I find solace in nature's embrace, cherishing tranquil moments with beloved friends. Deep within, I hold a dream close - to embark on a global journey in an RV, accompanied by my faithful canine companion. Together, we'll wander through diverse cultures, weaving precious memories under the starry night sky, fulfilling the wanderlust that stirs my soul.

    What do you think ?
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    Marno C.
    Community Member
    1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    As an ample person myself, I think the joke is funny and is actually oddly truthful. Losing weight IS hard and it might 'seem' easy to the advice givers, but it can like asking someone to do the equivalent of remove a limb like it is NBD. Easier said than done depending upon the particulars of your body. Also, I am wondering about the legality of the firing under the ADA. He made a joke that referenced his limb loss. Consultation with a lawyer might be worthwhile.

    Jason
    Community Member
    1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I'm pretty fat and would have laughed heartily. Bought the dude a beer. Probably made a bit dark joke back

    Load More Replies...
    Well-Dressed Wolf
    Community Member
    1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Wait, they were having lunch on a Sunday… NOT while at work? On their own time? AND he still got fired for making a joke?

    just me
    Community Member
    1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I would guess lunch break. They said Sunday was the end of their work week.

    Load More Replies...
    Lɶwin Von Schatten
    Community Member
    1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    The group went out to eat AFTER work and he brought up that he's an amputee - and gets fired for being disabled? Depending on how this gets worded, I'd say that company's got no leg to stand on if this goes to court. I'd ask an attorney to send a nicely worded letter asking for some big severance pay. That termination should cost them an arm and a leg.

    Load More Comments
    Marno C.
    Community Member
    1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    As an ample person myself, I think the joke is funny and is actually oddly truthful. Losing weight IS hard and it might 'seem' easy to the advice givers, but it can like asking someone to do the equivalent of remove a limb like it is NBD. Easier said than done depending upon the particulars of your body. Also, I am wondering about the legality of the firing under the ADA. He made a joke that referenced his limb loss. Consultation with a lawyer might be worthwhile.

    Jason
    Community Member
    1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I'm pretty fat and would have laughed heartily. Bought the dude a beer. Probably made a bit dark joke back

    Load More Replies...
    Well-Dressed Wolf
    Community Member
    1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Wait, they were having lunch on a Sunday… NOT while at work? On their own time? AND he still got fired for making a joke?

    just me
    Community Member
    1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I would guess lunch break. They said Sunday was the end of their work week.

    Load More Replies...
    Lɶwin Von Schatten
    Community Member
    1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    The group went out to eat AFTER work and he brought up that he's an amputee - and gets fired for being disabled? Depending on how this gets worded, I'd say that company's got no leg to stand on if this goes to court. I'd ask an attorney to send a nicely worded letter asking for some big severance pay. That termination should cost them an arm and a leg.

    Load More Comments
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