This is the story. My parents are from Africa but I was born and raised in NY. The other day, my boss (who got hired not too long ago) was talking to me asking me different question on my education etc. First weird question: "How did you get in this country?", I answered politely. Then he went on and asked me what tribe I was from and finished off by saying: "oh you should be grateful and thankful to be alive. People die everyday in Africa, your country" (mind you Africa is a continent).
My question is to know if this can be considered harassement.
He also asked me how old I was ( i did not answer that)
2007-04-19 03:55:21 · 19 answers · asked by Lolita S 1 in Business & Finance ➔ Careers & Employment
I also thought he was trying to make conversation and thought that he was ignorant until he told me that he used to live in Europe and in other countries (I guess it does not mean anything).But someone with international exposure should know better. And by the way he is about 55 years old so he should definitely know better.
Now something else that he did not too long is to ask one of my coworker (from Puerto Rico) where she originally was from. That's why I am asking this question. He asked what tribe I was from and the other girl where she originally was from...I just find that really odd
2007-04-19 04:35:13 · update #1
Harassment is a stretch, but sensitivity training might be in order. You can either ignore him, or talk with your H/R department. But remember, in some cases the second alternative will cause you trouble regardless what they tell you. Your boss will know it was you who made the complaint and he could make your work life there a short one.
If you go the harassment route, you must first mention to him that you really do not appreciate his insensitive questions as you are from America. Tell him the the comments are upsetting and inappropriate for work. After this if he still makes the comments, then report him.
2007-04-19 04:32:45 · answer #1 · answered by kam 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes it is harassement! It's called Racial Profiling. I would report his butt! He has NO right to ask you about your background. Ignorant Motherf******!!! Here is a trick question: Who's is the least dangerous?
a. A jolly fat man who likes to dress up as a clown...
b. A 65 year old man with a tatoo between his eyebrows
c. A middle eastern person who wears a turbin & smock
d. A 23 year old college student
Answer: [C] just becuase you wear a turbin does not mean you are dangerous. RACIAL PROFILE
A = John Gacy/ killed 135 people & buried them in his house
B = Charles Manson/ Killed 8 people by brainwashing others
C = No body/ The Taliban involved in 9/11 were dressed normal
D = Cho/ College shooting 32 dead
2007-04-19 04:16:46 · answer #2 · answered by BlascoMan 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I don't think your boss was intentionally trying to be rude, but it sounds like he is a bit ignorant. He probably thinks that the only people in Africa are uneducated wild people in loincloths.
Of course, that is not true, but maybe he doesn't know that. If he keeps asking you these questions, maybe you should tell him how it makes you feel, before filing for harrassment. But if it keeps getting worse, tell someone above your boss.
2007-04-19 04:06:45 · answer #3 · answered by zomplexi 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The questions about Africa sound more like ignorance to me. To determine whether it's ignorance or harrassment, you'll have to pay attention to body languauge. Maybe your boss really doesn't know he offended you.
The question on your age tells me your boss is so new to supervising that he doesn't know proper etiquette - what is and is not acceptible behavior for a supervisor. And maybe with his inexperience comes doubt as to whether he can do the job. He wants to know more about you to figure out how he can motivate you or dominate you (let's hope he wants to motivate, not domintae or bully!). In that case, it's up to his boss or HR to train your supervisor on how to be an effective supervisor. There are many great courses out there for those who are new to supervising. Maybe you should mention this training to his supervisor (anonymously if you don't want to draw attention to yourself).
2007-04-19 04:15:01 · answer #4 · answered by Sharon 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Americans can be ignorant, when I was in the US I got the same dumb questions from someone concerning me being white and coming from Africa and living with lions, this was a black person who asked me. So everyone generalizes, if you feel uncomfortable with question, vocalize it and tell them this has nothing to do with your job or job performance and therefore is not open to discussion.
If they still carry on with that type of behaviour afterwards i would, report them to their boss.
2007-04-19 04:14:09 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
He is not allowed to ask your age. Do not feel you have to answer to him about anything regarding your personal life. If the attention persists, go talk to your Human Resource department at your company and find out exactly what your rights as an employee are. Certain kinds of harassment are illegal in every company and worksetting. It sounds as if you are troubled by this behavior, and if you are, it is harassment. Talk to your Human Resource department immediately!
2007-04-19 04:09:13 · answer #6 · answered by correrafan 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It sounds like he was just making conversation, trying to get to know you since he's new. The questions are inappropriate, but if those are the only arguably offensive questions he made, I don't think it's quite harassment because it doesn't sound like he was actually disparaging you. If he continues talking like that to you, I think you need to tell him how uncomfortable that makes you. Unfortunately, some people just don't have a clue :(
2007-04-19 04:02:02 · answer #7 · answered by exHR 3 · 2⤊ 0⤋
As a individual who has had a therapist at the "payroll" given that I used to be eleven, I do not know that the ones questions are precisely unusual, in step with say; nevertheless, if you do not think relaxed with them maybe you must seem for anybody you do think relaxed with. There is not any factor in paying well cash to peer anybody you do not think relaxed with considering the fact that you wont open up with them.
2016-09-05 17:21:50 · answer #8 · answered by fertig 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
He might not understand that the what he is saying doesn't sound very polite in American English. If English is not his first language, that may be the reason for the translation error, and he probably doesn't even realize it. Just let it go, as long as he's not being hostile, he's harmless.
2007-04-21 10:32:36 · answer #9 · answered by Hot Coco Puff 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
" Sir, I would be pleased to try to answer any business related question, but I will not discuss my private life at work"
that is all you have to say. Nothing else, no explanation either.
write down the day date time of this discussion and if he goes personal in the future, start investigating how to report him. It is not harrassment if you haven't told him to stop, (See First quote, that is asking him to stop)
2007-04-19 04:04:21 · answer #10 · answered by bob shark 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋