His boss is a white male and my husband is black. He has had a previous altercation with the same person before. His boss has also made references about "runnin out of chittlins" and today he went overboard and called him a "boy". It was made in an attempt as a personal attack on my husband and now I want justice! No one should have to take any type of verbal abuse from anyone at their job especially from their boss!!! We have filed a complaint with store management but I feel it should be taken further. What other options do we have?
2007-07-22 17:38:31 · 14 answers · asked by DAWN 2 in Family & Relationships ➔ Marriage & Divorce
For those of you that are ignorant to the fact that the word "boy" in this instance WAS used to DEGRATE my husband... look the word up on an online dictionary and read the def. also look up racial slurs! Also I AM in upper management at the SAME store so I AM a part of the situation whether I want to be or not! I have to work with this person as well!
2007-07-22 17:51:06 · update #1
wildflower- there is a code of conduct that has to be followed. You cannot make racial slurs to anyone at the job nor do you have to be subject to it at work. I have never been one to pull the race card on anything for that matter because in some cases I do feel as though some take it to levels of extreem. In this case and I can speak from being a witness to it ,that his supervisor has crossed boundaries that he shouldn't have. He had just used his name three other times when he was speaking to him and for him to turn around and use the word in the context and tone that he did...he knew exactly what he meant when he said it. I happened to get allong with this person and I will continue to remain professional until the matter is solved in a matter that is acceptable. If an example has to made then so be it.
2007-07-22 18:48:41 · update #2
cecil- you don't know what you're talking about... I happen to have numerous awards and recognitions for superior work performance and BOTH of our work performance speaks for itself. My husband was ASKED to join our team because of his ability to contribute to the company. We are talking about only a 3 lettered word but the context in which it was used it was like he was using the "n" word. Why am I even commenting about your comment? You sound like you are familiar with the subject!!!!
2007-07-22 19:12:33 · update #3
It deals with race because slaveowners would refer to their male slaves as "boys." It also implies that black men are not as "manly" as white men.
And, I would look into more action, but I would also prompt him to find a job away from this guy.
2007-07-22 17:45:06 · answer #1 · answered by Murrin 2 · 1⤊ 1⤋
He needs to start keeping a log. Also see if there are other witnesses. And see if it is happening to others.
If it happens to 3 or more .. and you all have logs and can back each other up . .then sue.
but getting all of this is very difficult. Maybe you can move on.
It is a personal attack .. but getting justice is often impossible.
You might watch the recent movie North Country to see how difficult this can be.
ps
If the boss puts this in writing, then the boss is toast. But many are sneeky. That is how they got to be bosses.
2007-07-22 17:47:41 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
consult an attorney and sue his @ss, and the company too. Thats degrading! and all the company's gonna do is 'investigate' the complaint, to which the boss will deny, and nothing will come out of it.
I'd PAY someone to call me something like that or make any inference to my race! I'd have a big payout from a lawsuit.
2007-07-22 17:44:27 · answer #3 · answered by vixalle21 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
File an EEO complaint with the Labor Department. Also, contact their personnel department and see if they have an EEO office within their company. I work for the Post Office and "thems firing words" with us. That kind of comment will get a supervisor some street time!
2007-07-22 17:45:33 · answer #4 · answered by baseballdad69 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
It's your husband's job.. let him handle it.
I understand what you mean about the term "boy", the boss sounds really ignorant, but goodness, it's not WWIII..
You sounds like you want him fired which to me is way out of bounds for making a stupid comment.
In my 30 years in the work force, if every man that made a sexist remark was fired, man oh man... I'd of left a trail of hungry children!
2007-07-22 17:45:39 · answer #5 · answered by Bentley 7 · 1⤊ 1⤋
My husband is brown and I am white. You get fed up with that kind of thing.(and we are not getting on well at the moment) Stupid women serving in shops who make him wait annoys me. The only kind of real justice you'll get is underhand justice. His boss will just fake it or suddenly have a different meaning for it. The boss is a turkey.
2007-07-22 17:54:53 · answer #6 · answered by sheila 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
You should stay calm and report this to human resoucres verbally and in full written documentation. If nothing is done start looking for a lawyer and some social groups. for help. Maybe even contact a lawyer now.
2007-07-22 17:49:52 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
I disagree. I do not think this is racial.. It is a insult to one's maturity and intelligence, not race.. and no, it was not right.. but perhaps his boss was trying to assert his "superior" knowledge and experience to your husband - but again, this by itself is not a racial insult..
Add: Yes, whether your husband is black, white, purple or green, being called "boy" would be degrading.. feel better? Most women deal with being called "girl" at some point or something similar throughout their working career by some man.. does that mean it's only because of one's race? No.. it is degrading and not right, but please quit playing the racial card here.. It would be helpful to know what the circumstances are that led up to this event.. My bf years ago (WHITE) was also called "boy" by his (WHITE) boss when he acted like a fool and thought he knew more than his boss.. the boss used this term to put him back in his place and remind him there is a reason why the boss is the boss and the worker is a worker.. experience.
2007-07-22 17:44:33 · answer #8 · answered by Wildflower 6 · 1⤊ 4⤋
Not sure where you are but you need to contact an attorney that handles employment law. You also need to call your state's version of the civil rights commission. They will definately steer you in the right direction. Good luck to you both. DOCUMENT EVERYTHING!
2007-07-23 05:59:21 · answer #9 · answered by stacilynn26 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
The world is not a warm-fuzzy place where you have a right not to be offended. Are you and/or your husband among the losers who try to use race to cover up their inadequate job performance? If his boss has any sense, he is documenting substandard performance to defend against the ambulance-chasing slip and fall attorneys who make their living from frivolous lawsuits like the one some are suggesting. Racial discrimination is illegal, and wrong. Offending someone is wrong, but not illegal.
2007-07-22 18:59:10 · answer #10 · answered by Cecil n 7 · 0⤊ 4⤋