The majority (97%) of financial services workers have been made to feel uncomfortable by unwelcome banter at some time during their career, according to a new report.

Two thirds had contributed less in meetings because of inappropriate banter.

Six in ten workers surveyed by the CISI, the professional body for Certified Financial Planners, and Focal Point Training said banter had resulted in them putting forward fewer ideas.

A third had looked for a new job as a result of feeling uncomfortable with banter in their workplace.

Banter made 25% of the workers surveyed feel uncomfortable at least some of the time in their job. One in ten of those whose who found banter uncomfortable felt that way at least once a week.

Less than a third of those surveyed said they would feel comfortable in asking people to stop, with only one in ten feeling confident in calling banter in all workplace situations.

Over 132 of the workers surveyed who felt uncomfortable with banter also felt that it had resulted in curtailing their ability to speak to their line manager about their mental health.

A third of those surveyed said banter had affected them but they could put it out of their minds. However, four in ten said banter aimed at them had affected how they felt about themselves either often or all of the time.

Samar Yanni, assistant director, head of membership of the CISI, said: “There is a very fine line to be drawn with banter, as it can play a positive role in creating a sense of camaraderie in teams. However, jokes at someone else’s expense can become uncomfortable and escalate. Managers therefore need to be vigilant and teams, from the top down, must be seen to have zero tolerance of inappropriate banter.

“Discussions on banter can be undertaken in team meetings, in relation to the link to wellbeing and positive mental health. Building trust in teams is essential, so that if someone “crosses the line” people have the confidence to call it out. It is essential that people can trust that, if a concern is raised, line management will take the right action and that those people will be supported.”

The CISI and Focal Point Training surveyed 750 financial services professionals of whom 43% were female and 55% were male.