Sick of Ignorant/Racist thinking!

[smilie]

There's a lady at work who is extremely racist. She doesn't go out of her way to talk about it, but when someone comes into the office who is a different race then her (doesn't matter which one), she always has some little snide remark she has to say and expects everyone else to agree. Well, today was the end of it! One of the office assistants and myself are going to the District Manager and letting him know about the situation. He's been told several times and nothings been done about it. This time something IS GOING TO BE DONE. Even though she says it quietly enough that they don't hear her, the employees do-and we're sick of it!!!

Sorry, but this kind of ignorance gets my blood boiling.

 

[CapeCodTenor]

Good for you and your fellow co-workers. Let us know what happens.

 

[WIcruizer]

What can be done? It sounds like she's not saying anything to the customers, and she's not discriminating against anyone. Exactly what is she guilty of, besides being ignorant?

 

[rnd4life]

It's amazing how ignorant some people can be

 

[smilie]

What can be done? It sounds like she's not saying anything to the customers, and she's not discriminating against anyone. Exactly what is she guilty of, besides being ignorant?

I don't know if anything can be done, but we want to make sure we let the DM know what's going on. Although this time she wasn't heard, the last time she was. The last time, the poor gentleman was so shocked by it he just left the office, we don't even know why he came in.. he never got to say anything. She also talks about our drivers (company employed) during the day whenever they contact her. Even though these people don't hear it directly, it needs to be stopped and we don't know how to do that.

 

[luvmydogs]

What can be done? It sounds like she's not saying anything to the customers, and she's not discriminating against anyone. Exactly what is she guilty of, besides being ignorant?

We had a situation along these same lines, and three of us (out of a shared workspace of four--the fourth was the bigot) went to our supervisor, and told her we would be documenting *everything* that was said/done/not done about our situation. Our coworker was reprimanded for 'creating a hostile work environment.' She kept her mouth shut--at least around us--from then on.

 

[WIcruizer]

went to our supervisor, and told her we would be documenting *everything* that was said/done/not done about our situation.

That's the KEY. Otherwise you have unsubstantiated he said/ she said, and frankly I don't blame the manager for not taking action.

You must documnet the date, time, and exactly what was said every time this happens, and if other coworkers hear it, have them sign off as well. Once you have a handful of statements take it to your manager. If this is a typical corporate environment, you can also take to your Corporate HR Dept. They will not be as cavalier.

 

[KelNottAt]

If your company is a federal contractor (or even state contractor, maybe) there may be business at risk by failing to discipline this kind of behavior. However, complaining to the Feds is a double-edged sword: you're likely to see action: a penalized employee and/or lost government business and/or company fine.

In any event, when you approach the DM, make sure you don't just complain. Specifically state what kind of action you think the company should take...fire her? write her up? relocate her? It will be very difficult for an employer to meet employee expectations they're not aware of.

Good luck!

 

[smilie]

I don't think she'll be fired. There's the possibility of a 3 day suspension. If that happens maybe it will wisen her up. But as posted before, at least it's getting documented now.

 

[marybet]

That is one reason I am so glad I didn't go back to work when we moved to Alabama. There is still so much racism here and I just don't know how to deal with it sometimes. There are some people who will never change, regardless of what I say. I try to make positive comments, or maybe question them about their opinion. It is not like they are card carrying members of the KKK, they still just think they are superior to blacks.