Is it harassment for an employee to criticize a co-worker for being dumb?

Question

Let’s say the employee quotes Sir Walter Scott, "Oh, what a tangled web we weave, when first we practice to deceive.”  Then he asks co-worker if he knows what that means.  When the co-worker said “no,” the employee got all frustrated with him and criticized him, as if he asked him what 2 plus 2 is.  Is it wrong for employees to treat each other like that, basically putting them on the spot with a question to test their level of intelligence and then shut them down when the co-worker doesn’t know the answer?  FYI, never used words like “retarded” or “idiot” when the co-worker didn’t recognize the above quote.  But he did put him down.

Answer 1

There is a HUGE difference between knowledge and intelligence.  Knowing a random fact is knowledge.  Understanding its meaning or being able to think at a high level is intelligence.  How, exactly, did this person put down the employee unaware of the quote?



So, find some other obscure quote and fire that back at them.  



It would be great if this person practiced law..."first thing we do, we kill all of the lawyers."  When he doesnt know its from Henry VI...rip them to shreds.  



Then, remind them of the true meaning.  If you want anarchy, "first thing we do, we kill all of the lawyers."

Answer 2

You were bullying your co worker. Under the new harassment laws you are guilty and can face disciplinary actions if that co worker complains to H.R. about being bullied by you.



Apologize and stop the nonsense. Stay professional.

Answer 3

You can be a jerk, but not so much of a jerk that its harassment - I think that's where this falls.

Answer 4

Duh, yes, it's harassment.

Answer 5

No.  Coworkers (or anybody else, for that matter) are perfectly free to not like each other.  And they are free to offend one another.  And they are free to say bad things about, or to, one another.  And they are free to hurt each other's feelings.  They are even free to be jerks.



"Harassment" is NOT any of the above-listed things.  It is making a point of repeatedly interfering with another person's activities or feelings, in order to upset them.  It's a PATTERN of behaviour -- NOT just one or two incidents.



So one coworker treating another as you described does NOT meet the definition of harassment.