Today’s lunchtime discussion in the office turned into an unexpected lesson about workplace behavior and its consequences. The story making rounds involves a thoughtless comment during a casual chat about banh mi that led to an immediate dismissal.

The incident reflects a broader shift in workplace culture that I’ve noticed over my decades in tech. Gone are the days when crude jokes and innuendos were brushed off as “just banter.” Modern workplaces are finally taking decisive action against inappropriate behavior, and rightfully so.