Racism as an excuse in the workplace now?

Thirty Bills Unpaid

This thread has gotten sidetracked.

The point to the entire thing is that some exploit the advantages they are afforded and that is unacceptable. Except... it is acceptable because to call someone out for poor working behaviour that is (for lack of better word) 'protected'... typically means a shit storm coming your way for all the wrong reasons.

cincybearcat

Thirty Bills Unpaid wrote:

This thread has gotten sidetracked.

The point to the entire thing is that some exploit the advantages they are afforded and that is unacceptable. Except... it is acceptable because to call someone out for poor working behaviour that is (for lack of better word) 'protected'... typically means a shit storm coming your way for all the wrong reasons.

This.

I don;t think anyone was saying we need to get rid of ADA, or tracking the protected class hirings, etc.

Who Princess

Thirty Bills Unpaid wrote:

This thread has gotten sidetracked.

The point to the entire thing is that some exploit the advantages they are afforded and that is unacceptable. Except... it is acceptable because to call someone out for poor working behaviour that is (for lack of better word) 'protected'... typically means a shit storm coming your way for all the wrong reasons.

Well, sorry, I do tend to blather on a lot but I'd like to re-emphasize one of the things I told HFD. Document what this guy is doing. Keep a journal. Write down the dates and what he says or does. That's a little harder for management to ignore. And if more than one person does it, that can help. An HR person told me that she doesn't just look at complaints but the patterns in complaints.

But I am also tired of hearing that someone behaves a certain way because of their culture, usually said by someone who probably has no idea about the other person's culture anyway. It's a cop out. And it's no excuse for bad behavior.

Thirty Bills Unpaid

Who Princess wrote:

Thirty Bills Unpaid wrote:

This thread has gotten sidetracked.

The point to the entire thing is that some exploit the advantages they are afforded and that is unacceptable. Except... it is acceptable because to call someone out for poor working behaviour that is (for lack of better word) 'protected'... typically means a shit storm coming your way for all the wrong reasons.

Well, sorry, I do tend to blather on a lot but I'd like to re-emphasize one of the things I told HFD. Document what this guy is doing. Keep a journal. Write down the dates and what he says or does. That's a little harder for management to ignore. And if more than one person does it, that can help. An HR person told me that she doesn't just look at complaints but the patterns in complaints.

Excellent advice.

Hugh Freaking Dillon

I'm also really tired of hearing people complain that other workers of another descent should not be talking in their native language around "us", they are in Canada, they should be speaking English.

I always respond the same way: they can yodle for all I fucking care. Stop being so fucking paranoid thinking they are talking about you. They aren't. They are just more confident speaking in their native tongue. If I moved to Germany, and worked with another Canadian/American/British/whoever, damn rights I'd probably talk to them in English instead of trying to struggle talking to them in German.

that's so fucking stupid.

Hugh Freaking Dillon

Who Princess wrote:

Thirty Bills Unpaid wrote:

This thread has gotten sidetracked.

The point to the entire thing is that some exploit the advantages they are afforded and that is unacceptable. Except... it is acceptable because to call someone out for poor working behaviour that is (for lack of better word) 'protected'... typically means a shit storm coming your way for all the wrong reasons.

Well, sorry, I do tend to blather on a lot but I'd like to re-emphasize one of the things I told HFD. Document what this guy is doing. Keep a journal. Write down the dates and what he says or does. That's a little harder for management to ignore. And if more than one person does it, that can help. An HR person told me that she doesn't just look at complaints but the patterns in complaints.

But I am also tired of hearing that someone behaves a certain way because of their culture, usually said by someone who probably has no idea about the other person's culture anyway. It's a cop out. And it's no excuse for bad behavior.

already started. and I've actually already spoken to his boss and she said the same thing. I started this a long time ago though, knowing that's what had to be done with another person I worked with that everyone hated. She was white, though. So it wasn't so hard to get her fired. :?

hedonist

I think most people / companies worth their salt are going to hire people who can do the job well and who are professional. The cultural side of things comes with all of us - it's part of this country's people, part of just being human. I can and do respect those differences, actions, etc. as long as they don't infringe on anyone else or the company's means of doing business.

When I was in charge of hiring years ago (I was in my early 20s too, mind you), that's what I looked for and went after - those qualified and experienced regardless of age or denomination or country of origin.

Present day at the company I work for, we have some Filipino and Korean employees who speak to eachother in their native language(s). Don't care as I don't take it in a talking-about-me way (because it's not). They - who have been there for years - do what they need to do, and very well.

I think my problem is when anyone - ANYONE - takes advantage of a situation by pulling the race / cultural card.

Last-12-Exit

hedonist wrote:

I think most people / companies worth their salt are going to hire people who can do the job well and who are professional. The cultural side of things comes with all of us - it's part of this country's people, part of just being human. I can and do respect those differences, actions, etc. as long as they don't infringe on anyone else or the company's means of doing business.

When I was in charge of hiring years ago (I was in my early 20s too, mind you), that's what I looked for and went after - those qualified and experienced regardless of age or denomination or country of origin.

Present day at the company I work for, we have some Filipino and Korean employees who speak to eachother in their native language(s). Don't care as I don't take it in a talking-about-me way (because it's not). They - who have been there for years - do what they need to do, and very well.

I think my problem is when anyone - ANYONE - takes advantage of a situation by pulling the race / cultural card.

What if, by chance, everyone you hired was white because you felt they were the best candidates for the job? Would that have caused problems in your office?

hedonist

Last-12-Exit wrote:

hedonist wrote:

I think most people / companies worth their salt are going to hire people who can do the job well and who are professional. The cultural side of things comes with all of us - it's part of this country's people, part of just being human. I can and do respect those differences, actions, etc. as long as they don't infringe on anyone else or the company's means of doing business.

When I was in charge of hiring years ago (I was in my early 20s too, mind you), that's what I looked for and went after - those qualified and experienced regardless of age or denomination or country of origin.

Present day at the company I work for, we have some Filipino and Korean employees who speak to eachother in their native language(s). Don't care as I don't take it in a talking-about-me way (because it's not). They - who have been there for years - do what they need to do, and very well.

I think my problem is when anyone - ANYONE - takes advantage of a situation by pulling the race / cultural card.

What if, by chance, everyone you hired was white because you felt they were the best candidates for the job? Would that have caused problems in your office?

I have no idea; it was never addressed because I never went that route.

One of the best people I hired was young black woman who was a Jehovah's Witness. Sweet, earnest, decent, did her best. I still, all these years later, think of her in the best light.

One of the worst was a young white woman who felt it was in her best interest to come to work sans underwear and..."display" her wares to her co-workers.

Respected the former, fired the latter.

If I ever hire or fire someone based solely on their race, please...shoot me (or take me out of that decision-making process). That goes for anyone in that role.

Smellyman

Working in Hong Kong whitey still thinks they rule and are doing everything the "proper" way. Screw local culture, screw learning the language. English all the way and adapt to me not vice versa.

annoying as hell.

cincybearcat

hedonist wrote:

Last-12-Exit wrote:

hedonist wrote:

I think most people / companies worth their salt are going to hire people who can do the job well and who are professional. The cultural side of things comes with all of us - it's part of this country's people, part of just being human. I can and do respect those differences, actions, etc. as long as they don't infringe on anyone else or the company's means of doing business.

When I was in charge of hiring years ago (I was in my early 20s too, mind you), that's what I looked for and went after - those qualified and experienced regardless of age or denomination or country of origin.

Present day at the company I work for, we have some Filipino and Korean employees who speak to eachother in their native language(s). Don't care as I don't take it in a talking-about-me way (because it's not). They - who have been there for years - do what they need to do, and very well.

I think my problem is when anyone - ANYONE - takes advantage of a situation by pulling the race / cultural card.

What if, by chance, everyone you hired was white because you felt they were the best candidates for the job? Would that have caused problems in your office?

I have no idea; it was never addressed because I never went that route.

One of the best people I hired was young black woman who was a Jehovah's Witness. Sweet, earnest, decent, did her best. I still, all these years later, think of her in the best light.

One of the worst was a young white woman who felt it was in her best interest to come to work sans underwear and..."display" her wares to her co-workers.

Respected the former, fired the latter.

If I ever hire or fire someone based solely on their race, please...shoot me (or take me out of that decision-making process). That goes for anyone in that role.

Ummmm. Did you keep her contact info?

hedonist

cincybearcat wrote:

Ummmm. Did you keep her contact info?

Burned it mentally.

Trust me, her contact info was NOT one to be shared unless covered in saran wrap

Smellyman, I can't believe you said whitey. I'm not offended but damn...maybe that term's just a cultural thing?

Smellyman

hedonist wrote:

cincybearcat wrote:

Ummmm. Did you keep her contact info?

Burned it mentally.

Trust me, her contact info was NOT one to be shared unless covered in saran wrap

Smellyman, I can't believe you said whitey. I'm not offended but damn...maybe that term's just a cultural thing?

oops. meant Gwei lo

Who Princess

Smellyman wrote:

oops. meant Gwei lo

Is that White Devil?

Smellyman

Who Princess wrote:

Smellyman wrote:

oops. meant Gwei lo

Is that White Devil?

ghost dude


ghosts are white.

even flow - question mark

Hugh Freaking Dillon wrote:

I'm also really tired of hearing people complain that other workers of another descent should not be talking in their native language around "us", they are in Canada, they should be speaking English.

I always respond the same way: they can yodle for all I fucking care. Stop being so fucking paranoid thinking they are talking about you. They aren't. They are just more confident speaking in their native tongue. If I moved to Germany, and worked with another Canadian/American/British/whoever, damn rights I'd probably talk to them in English instead of trying to struggle talking to them in German.

that's so fucking stupid.

Just don't tell me how to act Canadian and I won't have a problem of having to believe that you should be special. I didn't grow up and go to school in Canada so I can talk like a grade three student to my bosses. Yeah there is a problem if they want to speak their native tongue and don't get what I'm saying. A BIG FUCKING PROBLEM!

ajedigecko

Smellyman wrote:

Who Princess wrote:

Smellyman wrote:

oops. meant Gwei lo

Is that White Devil?

ghost dude


ghosts are white.

Blackie.
Whitey
Shadow people.
Ghosts
...people need to listen to Dr. Carson and end the pc crap

If smelly wants to say whitey...go for it.

Hugh Freaking Dillon

even flow - question mark wrote:

Hugh Freaking Dillon wrote:

I'm also really tired of hearing people complain that other workers of another descent should not be talking in their native language around "us", they are in Canada, they should be speaking English.

I always respond the same way: they can yodle for all I fucking care. Stop being so fucking paranoid thinking they are talking about you. They aren't. They are just more confident speaking in their native tongue. If I moved to Germany, and worked with another Canadian/American/British/whoever, damn rights I'd probably talk to them in English instead of trying to struggle talking to them in German.

that's so fucking stupid.

Just don't tell me how to act Canadian and I won't have a problem of having to believe that you should be special. I didn't grow up and go to school in Canada so I can talk like a grade three student to my bosses. Yeah there is a problem if they want to speak their native tongue and don't get what I'm saying. A BIG FUCKING PROBLEM!

PARDON ME?