I’ve recently started work in the City in a graduate finance role.
I love the job and it’s going great (I’ve been there three months) but my one issue is the office culture: it’s very “laddy” and that’s just not me at all. The banter that flies around is often borderline racist, sexist and homophobic — and sometimes well over that line. I just don’t feel it’s my place to say anything, particularly as I’m on a six-month probation period. There is also a strong drinking culture after work which, as the new boy, I feel I should take part in: I don’t want to appear as if I’m not engaged with the team. But “banter” becomes even more exaggerated and it makes me feel very uncomfortable. I want to stay at the company but I’m not sure how much of this I can put up with. What would you advise?
JUSTIN, HERTFORD