CRAP AT WORK

[freckle]

Do you ever get really pi**d off with things you hear people say at work? i mean were all suposed to be adults yet some of the comments ive heard lately around my section at work would remind you of being at primary school.
for example......one guy has this huge arguement with an asian man onthe phone and its all 'close the bloody borders, cant speak the language ' etc etc, i wont even repeat the rest of what he said coz it makes my toes curl! everyone seems to be a target in our office be they black asian jewish whatever!!
our organisation is suposed to be an equal opportunities business and non discrimanatory but everyone including superiors turns a blind eye or joins in the laugh....i would even go as far as to say its embareassing. I have sworn at a few colleagues who have came out with some really ( and i mean really) derogatory comments about ethnic minorites and all i got was blank looks, and no doubt sniggering behind my back...is it just me? does working in adult company mean i should just put up with it?
it just makes me so angry!

[BrowderChick]

Its called "lack of compassionate morals". Its sad that there are so many people in this world that are really like that.

[zahncrelnik]

They better check in their own 'sandbox' and make sure their
family knows how to behave.

In other words, if you behave like a decent human being
I will treat you like a decent human being.
You shouldn't belittle someone who doesn't understand you, but take
some time to explain things to them.

I am glad to 'know' you freckle, and that you think people should not
be made fun of without any way to defend themselves.

[divinedaydreams]

Yep heard on the news last night how a bunch of men were speaking out at a town hall meetimg in San Fransisco. They were upset because the city promoted a pregnant woman. News showed the tape of the meeting.

I say don't put up with it. And document. But it all depends on how much you like your job.

[freckle]

They better check in their own 'sandbox' and make sure their
family knows how to behave.

.

couldnt have said it better myself,theyre not exactly the most intelligent people ive ever met, where do they get off talking to people like that.im bloody furious!
the same guy who i spoke about in my first post also said he agreed with a celebrity who once said it was perfectly ok to give a woman a good slap !
i told him to tell his new girlfreind that he felt this way and that i was sure she would feel so loved secure and cared for after hearing this.....he sure went
quiet after that!
f**kin ars*ole

[Selena]

That kind of discrimination is against the law. There are federal statues that prohibit it. If you are able - go discuss it with the most senior manager you can find, or the manager of Human Resources - and don't be afraid to speak up and say that you find a comment offensive. If you speak out it will eventually stop.

Racial slurs are akin to sexual harassment. Neither is acceptable behavior at work. Work is a place of business and should be conducted in a professional nammer - no matter what the occupation. Perhaps the slurs are accepted because few people challenge them.

[scrape_medic]

I got to say that the "british" who claim that so and so's are invading seem to have forgotten that a vast majority of the country is mixed bred anyrate.

In my school in london, it was hard to find anyone who could claim to have had at least three generations in thier family without foreign influence.

Culture has its differences and yet are diverse and integrated at the same time. You can find influences from around the globe in british culture, without having to look only at the obvious differences in colour and religion. Everyday terms and cultural icons, which most would consider exclusively british, often have their origins far from the UK.

I am amazed that in the twenty first century, people still want to define themselves by putting up a wall and claiming their British ancestory is everything on one side of it, and the foreigners should stay on the other side.

I am british, and proud of it. But to me that term means more than just icons of the Empire, rather the ideal of citizenship in a global world that sits literally on my doorstep. Thanks to all the invaders from the Romans on.....for bringing your culture to enhance ours.

But maybe its not about Identity, maybe thier behaviour is more about how they feel thier own failures should be blamed on someone else.....easy targets like race for instance.

If these people can't deal with "customers" on the phone in an adult manner, maybe they shouldn't be doing that job.

If you are feeling that you are being put in an unhappy position at work, its harrassement directed at you. Even if their comments are not directed at you. Do you have a Union rep?

[freckle]

I AGREE SCAPE...what a bloody boring world this would be if everyone was the same colour spoke the same language ate the same food etc etc.And yes i also agree that foreigners are used too often as scape goats.
The asian man in question, his pension file is still on the guys desk,so i had a look at it this morning when i arrived at work.
He was a paediatrician, payed national insurance and tax in this country since his arrival in 1963.Speaks Urdu.Has two children at medical school.
So has contributed more to this country in 42 years than my colleage has in his whole 22 years of dole queing.
He has probably saved a childs life and given urgent medical advice to another Urdu speaking parent who may not have seeked help from a doctor for fear of language barriers.
And we dont want this guy in the country, why?

[kymom5613]

Just shows that there are racists everywhere. Sad, but true. I have real problems with intolerance, as just a few generations back, either side of my family has been one of the "downtrodden"...Starting with being kicked out of most countries in 1620!!! Some of the time confrontation with idiots like this can at least get them to not state such inflammatory remarks in front of you, but often it will NOT change hearts and minds of those who have been so brainwashed by whomever. As infuriating as it can be, just keep putting them in their place, since if we don't stand for something, we'll fall for just about anything, right?
Glad you stood up for the "little guy"!!!
(It may sound trite, please don't take it that way, but I'm proud of you!!!)

[your side my side]

Speaking as a union rep, I would advise anyone who has a problem with a colleague's behaviour to do the following:

1: Keep a diary. Record every incident. Date. Time. What was said. What happened. Any witnesses

2: When you have enough of the above: take it to your supervisor/line manager/team leader/boss. Anyone in authority. Ask them to deal with it.

3: If they don't deal with it to your satisfaction, then make a formal complaint.

I'm a civil servant, and the civil service does have a well established grievance procedure which follows the steps outlined above. If you don't have this kind of system or a union, then speak to your superiors and try and arrange one.

The above procedure applies as well if you're being bullied by a colleague.

Mind you, I've spent the past year and a bit having to sit next to people who moan all the time, and are negative about their job all the time, and take a great delight in moaning and being negative. I was never happy with having to put up with them. And what do I get from my line manager? 'They're not doing anything listed under the wrong behaviours guide. Just be tolerant.'

If I was a line manager I would not be happy with staff behaving like that all the time, but I knew there was no point in saying that. Fortunately someone else then left and I was able to move to their desk, well away from these people. I can't believe how much my mood has improved since.

[freckle]

im a civil servant too! my union rep sits opposite me but he's got a fence so far up his backside that he will never say anything.Its always; 'well some people are just like that and its not right i know but'....blah blah blah.
Other people hear these comments including my LO1 and god knows if there was anyone who shouldnt be throwing bricks at glass houses its him , but he throws a deafy or joins in.
i think i'll speak to another union rep about it and they'll realise one of there own is not doing his job.Theres talk of strike action again soon and i know he'll want my support,so if he scratches my back ....