Be interesting to see if anyone from the UK has been successful in this regard in that case. Leaving themselves open to some smartarse lawyer having a crack at the legislation.

These incidents sound like a fairly serious issue to me, so the OP needs to cover his bases and make sure what he does sticks.

Surely the Anti - Bullying laws are just as severe in anycase ?

hahaha, thought the same. I'm of German origin. Not that I would do it, but it wouldn't surprise me. I like the English, they have a lot of humour which Aussies completely lack of. Hubby and son-inlaw are English

But somebody mentioned he might have had an English girlfriend who dumped him.

OP. Where do you work and what does the company do? I can't imagine anything like that happening in my office except for a little bit of cricket banter. Sounds all a little school yard to me. Sounds like its affecting productivity. Company won't like that.

Laws dealing with racial harassment are inclusive of abuse based on nationality, which this is clearly about. He is being harassed because of his nationality, and that breaks Equal Opportunities Act 1984 of WA. And from a cultural or social sense it is clearly xenophobic. These people are the social equivalent of patio weeds. When they pop up don't mess about just get out the weedkiller or your whole patio is ruined.

I was given a hard time in my first job in Australia a few years back now. I was singled out a few times because I was English.

I am not the best person to pick on if it is a quick reaction that is wanted, I am a durable bastard, probably because I went to one of the hardest comprehensive schools and one of the most notorious in the UK. I doubt very much that there is anything that some office smart arse fanny could do or say to me that could event remotely compare in anyway to some of the things I have seen both physically and mentally in my life.

My own personal reaction would be to grind the bastard down slowly. I find opportunities always present themselves if you wait long enough. Be sociable with others around you, try and isolate him over time. Make his remarks sound embarrassing and cringe worthy with some put down that might get a laugh from others around you perhaps.

It is a difficult one this, going to the boss and HR even though that is the right thing to do doesn't always makes things better unfortunately. Those at fault will be reprimanded but you will still likely end up being treated as an outcast that 'grassed' on them, your life will still likely be just as difficult there if not more so.

Either way this guy isn't going to be your best friend at work all of a sudden no matter what you do.

That's terrible OP. I found Australia to be a lot less PC than the UK on the 4 occasions I have been there. Job ads asking women not to apply etc - was totally shocked.

I went on a backpacking holidays years ago with a load of Aussies and got loads of stick but they don't have much retort when you ask them where they originate from. My hubby always says he is Australian as his family arrived there at the beginning but weren't convicts apparently. Still they hailed from the UK though he is part Aborigine, only just enough to have claimed Abstudy. Buck stops with him and my kids can't get it.

I live in Scotland at the moment. Sometimes you get the impression people think things like that here though they don't say it to your face. Often get stared at as soon as they hear the accent - not that many English round here!

Anyway, do not put up with it. Don't know why white people think it's ok to be like this to other white people but would probably think twice before insulting a black or Asian person. Racism is racism. Needs to stop. Good luck.

I have come across similar sorts of aggression and bullying over the years, the old, ignore them and they will go away advice never works in my experience. I think you can either report them, if you think you will get somewhere, or fight fire with fire, which I have always done, but don't do it in front of witnesses, because if he has mates, he might be setting a trap for you. Just laugh at him when he makes a stupid comment and when the time is right, say something like, did your grandad get shipped over to Oz as a convict for shagging a sheep and then laugh out loud. It has always worked for me, they soon give you a wide berth. Best of luck.

It happens here as well, he sounds like a bullying wanker and they only respond to stronger bullys. Smack him in the mouth if you are able to get away with it if not get the managers in and show him up for the bullying prick that he is


Neil

I had one colleague when we first moved here, make snide comments about the Brits and how WA should 'just be for WA people'.

We had a bit of a row when I told him that stupidity is not in any way endearing and could he please stop it. Stupid arsehole just scratched his head, looked confused and then went on about WA should have borders to stop people getting in.

Yet this twattage still felt he was OK for him to travel to Bali, UK etc if he wanted and claimed 'it's different' when I pointed this out.

Seriously, I dont mind stupid/simple people in the workplace - these schemes are often successful in allowing them to lead next to normal lives but some people really should not be allowed out in public when they are so challenged.

How was your day at work today?! Anything said......?

Good option - offer him outside for a "straightener" in the car park - bet you won't hear much from him from then on :-)

Depends on how big and hard they look, or how big and hard yourself is, I don't think it's worth coming to blows over TBH, but after the sheep quip, I would keep making a BAAAAAaaaaaAAAAA sound every time he comes near, to keep the pressure on. Followed with a big laugh.

If its really bugging you, ask him outright if hes for real. If he says yes, ask him to join you in the managers office where he can repeat it. If its just banter, tell him "fair play skip, you had me going there". Most aussies are good, fun and fair so if you have an aussie mate, ask if he can help out by having a word with him. What ever you do, dont put up with it.

Are you serious?

If it was the other way round the toys would soon be out of the pram.

The Aussie can be funny buggers in the work place, they can really go for people and expect some 'banter' back at them, usually a two way thing.

A problem sometimes arises when an Aussie initiates the (often insensitive) banter and the other person shys away and gives nothing back.

They expect a give as good as you get attitude, especially amongst Aussie blokes. The guy giving out probably thinks he is standoffish and aloof and hence has decided to persist with the comments to try and get some kind of reaction.