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Yikes. While I think it's indicative of poor character to say unconstructive, cruel things about someone to their face or behind their back, I don't know if I believe they should be punished when there was a reasonable expectation that the target could never receive these remarks. Still, maybe it's for the best that cruel people sometimes lose in unfair ways.

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I'm amazed that people would mock co-workers behind their back like that.

TBH, I'd be disgusted to work at a company with anyone like that, I'm impressed by the author's compassion at still wanting to work with such horrible people.

There is more at play here in my opinion, that points to why HR definitely should be involved. The behavior exhibited is clearly that of a toxic person to have on staff. If that is how an employee talks about colleagues, it’s only fair that any chance to catch the behavior will be dealt with swiftly. Remember, this is just the only time it was caught. And for all parties involved it is best that it gets dealt with.

Totally agree with t0mmel here. You're trying to build a team, in task as well as in spirit. You can't do that with one of the team members running around un-building the team.

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