Ask HN: How to handle situations when co-workers laugh at you in meetings? | Hacker News Reader

Ask HN: How to handle situations when co-workers laugh at you in meetings?

5 pointsmericky12 comments

Double down and laugh at yourself.

It neutralizes any awkwardness and kills the joke immediately.

Use humor to your advantage. nothing they say can hurt you.

It very much depends on the circumstances. Was there something funny? Were they insulting you personally, or professionally?

Generally, though, I think a good response would include staying respectful of others and taking responsibility for your own actions. Some combination of confidence, humility, and grace.

Uh, sorry that happened to you? Were they laughing at your joke? Or did something unprofessional happen?

Not on jokes. I have a speech problem. I suffer from neurogenic stuttering. Whenever I express myself, I notice their behaviour of mocking for some time.

That's just fucked up, there's really no other way to put it.

I can't even begin to imagine any team I've worked on in my 15-20 year career acting this way towards anyone, nevermind an actual member of the team.

You probably have some legal options you could pursue (IANAL) but honestly, everyone and their mother is hiring right now. I wouldn't waste another day on these kinds of assholes.

Hey man, that really sucks. If you're US or West EU based, and you work for a medium-large company, this is definitely something you can approach HR with, although it might be worth talking to your boss about first. Discrimination based on a medical condition IS protected in most of those jurisdictions. If this is happening on a routine basis, it's important to record, in a journal, the 5 'W's - Who, what, when, where, why - so that you can have your ducks in a row.

If it's a small company, you may just have to talk to the owner - and if he doesn't do something, you may need to go to court. You may need to find a new job, in either case.

This whole thing sucks, and unfortunately I have no easy answers for you. See if you can get some time with a speech therapist, but really that's besides the point. I'm sorry this is happening to you, but you do have options.

U could try any of the following things: 1. Try looking right back to them & nod ur head in a way like asking, "What? Do u want to add something?"

2. As others suggested, talk to hr. If u feel like handling urselves, speak to them directly & ask right away, "Whats their problem anyways?"

Remember always whatevrr u do with confidence is always civilized & savage. This s my opibion. Try what u feel like this suits the context. Cheers

Maybe have the HR department play this video?

https://youtu.be/MOHFS10q2ms

I know you don't want to be centered out but the fact is if they are mocking you that is already the case.

You have some unbelievably immature co-workers. I have worked at many jobs over 30+ years and have never once seen anyone in an engineering environment laugh at someone's disability, including stuttering.

Are you able to provide some details?

I'd say it depends on the situation, was it a good-natured friendly ribbing or were they mocking something personal about you like your looks or something?

Are there other persons in the meeting?

Please elaborate. How did this happen?

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