Beware banter in the office

It seems that bosses and their staff are poles apart when it comes to office banter.

Research by insurer Hiscox suggests that employees can be offended by swearing or staff being called 'love', whereas bosses are more relaxed about it.

Managers could be giving themselves a potential accusation of sexism or similar if they don't tackle these issues.

Seventy per cent of employees surveyed said bad behaviour was commonplace in the office; 59 per cent were bothered by bad language and 47 per cent disliked pet names like 'love' and 'babe'.

However, bosses apparently take a different view. Of those surveyed, 70 per cent were said to be 'unconcerned' about the possibility of legal action and 82 per cent believed there was nothing wrong with 'banter'.

Just over half (51 per cent) of workers felt that their bosses should do more to get rid of bad behaviour.

Hiscox's Callum Taylor said: "One employee's banter can esaily turn into another employee's lawsuit."