The workplace issue....

k27

k27

k27

Associate
Joined
10 Apr 2011
Posts
64
Location
South East England
So…just a bit of ‘light’ background reading into the current situation. I am currently half way through an MSc. This costs money. To help fund this I am having to work part time (the course is two days a week so I work the other three). This is relevant in the fact that I need a job and the job I have is extremely flexible around my uni hours / exams / any time I need off to study... and is also quite well paid.

The work is ok, the workplace is ok, the people are ok… As long as you don’t mention race/ethnic minorities/homosexuality/religions other than Christianity/people on benefits. This is where we run into some problems. The office is 99% white. Which is not a problem in itself.

I am fortunate in that no one can ever really tell where I am from or what race I am (the most common assumption is some form of Mediterranean mix). Bearing in mind it is very difficult to tell my heritage by looking at me...I also believe one would be unable to assume (as, arguably you cannot with anyone), the ethnicity of my boyfriend.

So...After not participating in numerous conversations about ethnic minorities, I decided to inform my work colleagues that my boyfriend was indeed black and I was under the impression they assumed, (for reasons unknown to me), that he was white. How did they react at the news that he was not? Well, one woman said, ‘Are you kidding?’, whilst another (who happens to be my manager) could not stop laughing and then proceeded to ask me various idiotic questions about my boyfriend based on stereotypes of a black person (use your imagination). I cannot decide whether the best description of how I felt is angered, upset, disgusted or shocked. I guess a mixture of all four. Perhaps I was naïve, after already hearing their conversations I should have guessed their reaction, however, I did not think their views would be directed towards someone who was close to me and they know means a lot to me. Also…before there are any comments regarding HR…the HR manager is just as bad. In an office where I am indeed a lone voice, (the only black employee has given up long ago and has already once advised me to ‘keep my head down and get on with the job’), do I stick to morals and most probably be out of a job (I am paid hourly and am very easy to get rid of), do as I have been advised and ‘keep my head down’, or….well I don’t know a third option.

This is not based solely on the one conversation where I mentioned my boyfriend. conversations of this nature are constant and on a daily basis.
 
Where do you work.....The BNP Campaign Office?

I'm sorry but any Management and/or HR managers who actually knows what they are doing would stamp out any Racism or Prejudice, they certainly wouldn't encourage it or open up the company to serious risk of litigation.

I'm sorry, but I find it all very hard to believe.
 
Castiel said:
Where do you work.....The BNP Campaign Office?

I'm sorry but any Management and/or HR managers who actually knows what they are doing would stamp out any Racism or Prejudice, they certainly wouldn't encourage it or open up the company to serious risk of litigation.

I'm sorry, but I find it all very hard to believe.
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I found it hard to believe too. I've lost count of the number of convos she's told me about. Last week she became real upset.

I've said I want to meet this woman. She needs a talking too.
 
Castiel said:
I'm sorry, but I find it all very hard to believe.
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I didn't realise places like this still existed. The thing is . . They are aware of it and they laugh about how 'politically incorrect' they are
 
DAIR said:
I found it hard to believe too. I've lost count of the number of convos she's told me about. Last week she became real upset.

I've said I want to meet this woman. She needs a talking too.
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k27 said:
I didn't realise places like this still existed. The thing is . . They are aware of it and they laugh about how 'politically incorrect' they are
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She needs to make formal complaints in writing (being careful to retain copies of everything) to the companies HR dept using their greivance procedure.....if this has no effect or causes more discrimination and bullying then she needs to go to the senior management, and if that doesn't accomplish anything then contact the union if there is one or ACAS who can help her take it further.

This kind of behaviour in the workplace is unacceptable and any management that ignores valid concerns regarding discrimination is opening itself and the company to serious consequences legally.


Some links that may be helpful:

http://www.equalityhumanrights.com/

https://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/

http://www.acas.org.uk/index.aspx?articleid=1461

http://www.tuc.org.uk/tuc/rights_racism.cfm


Don't accept racism, either direct or indirect....it constitutes bullying in the workplace.
 
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Castiel said:
She needs to make formal complaints in writing (being careful to retain copies of everything) to the companies HR dept using their greivance procedure.....if this has no effect or causes more discrimination and bullying then she needs to go to the senior management, and if that doesn't accomplish anything then contact the union if there is one or ACAS who can help her take it further.

This kind of behaviour in the workplace is unacceptable and any management that ignores valid concerns regarding discrimination is opening itself and the company to serious consequences legally.
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I said she needs to pull the woman to the side and explain that she doesn't appreciate her comments. I'm all up for a bit of banter (regardless of the topic) but what I'm being told is boarderline bullying.

If she doesn't say something soon I'll be having words with her.
 
DAIR said:
I said she needs to pull the woman to the side and explain that she doesn't appreciate her comments. I'm all up for a bit of banter (regardless of the topic) but what I'm being told is boarderline bullying.

If she doesn't say something soon I'll be having words with her.
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Do you know each other?

In essence she feels uncomfortable and discriminated against....this is wrong.

Banter is only acceptable between consenting parties and the workplace is rarely an appropiate place for it, especially if it is inherently racist or discriminatory.
 
How long is an MSc? If its not too much longer, record everything but keep your head down. when the job it no longer required present the evidence in a formal manner.
 
If it' s a convenient job, and brings in the money you need, I'd just keep my head down tbh - If there aren't any equivalent jobs you could jump into, then it seems the only option... Might not be the nicest workplace atmosphere to feel that everyone is out to make fun of your boyfriend/you, but after all it is only 3 days a week, and you aren't obligated to talk to the other employees casually if you don't want to.

edit: I mean keep your head down in the sense of not having a big argument about stuff, so if you've made it clear you don't agree with what they're saying you can just leave it there.
 
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RickST said:
How long is an MSc? If its not too much longer, record everything but keep your head down. when the job it no longer required present the evidence in a formal manner.
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The MSc finishes in Sep. So still quite a while.
 
If the HR person is just as bad, then make a few covert recordings using a small digital recorder such as an Olympus. If your complaint isn't taken seriously, then you can use that as additional evidence that cannot be ignored or swept under the rug.
 
k27 said:
hmmm so to confront / keep my head down / make a formal complaint
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Make a formal complaint, if you feel you cannot approach the HR informally with your concerns first. You have a right to fairness and dignity at work...the overt racism making you feel uncomfortable infringes on that basic right....any HR worth their job will crack down on it fast.
 
GreatAuk said:
If it' s a convenient job, and brings in the money you need, I'd just keep my head down tbh - If there aren't any equivalent jobs you could jump into, then it seems the only option... Might not be the nicest workplace atmosphere to feel that everyone is out to make fun of your boyfriend/you, but after all it is only 3 days a week, and you aren't obligated to talk to the other employees casually if you don't want to.

edit: I mean keep your head down in the sense of not having a big argument about stuff, so if you've made it clear you don't agree with what they're saying you can just leave it there.
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This is the thing. As a casual employee (I am on monthly contracts which they keep renewing) I don't even know what rights I have. Although I spotted the web links posted above so thank you for them - will have a look.

Cowardly or selfish if you will..........but I think I should maybe start looking for other work which will fit around my uni (I would be willing to settle for less pay) and once I know I have another job secured....then say something?
 
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