I have a friend whose boss is making racist statements at work...?

Question

... constantly using racial slurs that desparage black people. Would my friend be able to sue his boss and the company, seeing as how he's in a "trapped" situation where he can't get out of the conversation, and because the company condones this behavior (the other bosses are the same way.)

Here's the thing though... my friend is white. Does that mean that he can't sue, because the comments "aren't harming him?" Personally, I find them harmful any time you're in a work environment (or anywhere else, for that matter) whether you're black or white. Your opinions, please.

Bruce J - He has a foster daughter (one that is the half-sister of his own children) that he could lose if he loses his job due to speaking out. If that makes him "too much of a coward to do the right thing" well, then I guess cowards like him who put family before social causes are all right in my book.

Furthermore, to some of the other posters, he has already asked a similar question himself, but didn't get many answers. I'm just investigating further on his behalf (and really without his knowlege.)

Also, he never claimed to be "afraid to do the right thing." He was just wondering what the best way of going about it was. I latched onto the lawsuit idea, since that seems to be the only way to make some people learn (if you're taking they're precious money.)

Answer 1

THIS IS REALLY MEANT FOR BRUCE J SO I DONT WANT THE POINTS. I'm the friend he is asking about and I feel its a good idea to say a few things.
1st of all, how the hell do you know I never spoke up about it? Actually I did, I asked him not to say it but he just laughed and did it more, so I then mentioned it in the offices to the shift supervisor and the plant foreman who also began saying these idiotic things so obviously reporting it wont help.
I'm sorry if you don't feel that thinking of my children's welfare is more important than possibly losing my job but apparently you would jeopardize the well being of your kids to prove a point. (Smart people wouldn't)
I guess you may have a point about the Hitler thing kind of. He did come too power because people stood by and did and said nothing and its a shame that happened. Unfortunately those people were AMERICA! America stood by because like the rest of the world we didn't care about anyone but ourselves.
So before you start spouting off false intelligences that a blind monkey can see right through maybe you should first understand a situation.
So does keeping a steady paycheck to keep my children in a safe and happy home more important than losing my job over some racist idiots make me a wimp? Well if so then I am a wimp but look at the bright side. I can grow a pair (as you say) but at least I'm not a mindless know it all with nothing important or smart to say.

Answer 2

Lawsuit is a last recourse not a first.
Could he sue? Sure you can sue for almost anything but the question is can he win, what would he win if he can and is it really worth the bother.
If it bothers him he can talk to his boss and tell him comments of that kind are unwelcome. If the boss fires him for that then he can sue and he would have a much better case to sue with. On the other hand if the boss stops making the comments then the problem is solved.

Answer 3

You can sue for anything, you may just not win. Really and honestly, I cannot see what actual loss he has suffered. Perhaps if he left the job due to the environment he would have a claim, but as he continues to work there he has not suffered a loss in that regard. (I appreciate that you say he cannot leave, but life sucks sometimes, I am sorry to say.)

My suggestion would be that he file a complaint with his local employment/labour standards department about the behaviour, white, black or blue he has every right to do that.

Answer 4

This is so sad. The entire situation makes me want to vomit...or kill someone.

First, the boss. Yes, he can be sued. This is a hostile work environment. He is a bigot, and has no bussiness spouting off his personal opinions at work.

Second, your 'friend'. What a wimp. He needs to grow a set of testicles and tell the boss how offensive the comments are. Why would he allow his boss to keep making these remarks? If he gets fired for standing up for racial equality, the lawsuit triples. And, regardless of any lawsuit, it's his DUTY to tell the racist boss that just because someone is white, doesn't mean he is a racist, and the comments at work are offensive.

I am disgusted that you need a total stranger from Yahoo to tell you the right thing to do. Hitler built a nation of hate around people like your 'friend', people that just sit around waiting for someone else to take action. At least this boss wears his heart on his sleeve, so that everyone can see what a racist he is. Your 'friend' is worse by far, the kind of person that can't be trusted because he is too afraid to do the right thing.

Answer 5

Your friend doesn't have standing to sue, but he can lodge a complaint with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission. http://www.eeoc.gov/

He may also contact a local government agency that looks into discrimination complaints.

Comments of a racial nature in the workplace create what is called a 'hostile work environment.' That his boss is making the comments make it less likely for someone to complain for fear of retaliation.

Anyone can file a complaint regardless of their race.

Hope this helps.

Answer 6

You don't have to be black to be offended by racist remarks. If he brings the subject up and it does not stop, he can file a case with the Feds because it is a hostile workplace... but he should be prepared to lose money and job standing as a result.Even if he's right, it will hurt his reputation among other companies. Doing the right thing is very expensive.
.

Answer 7

Absolutely file the complaint with the EEOC. Send a message to these Neanderthals that racial epithets are unaccceptable and idiotic.

It distresses me when this crap happens, moreso when managers are involved -- and I'm white! EVERYONE needs to start being colorblind NOW!!

Answer 8

you're able to desire to undergo in strategies additionally that this speech replaced into given in 1968, so the language used in that speech is for specific to be seen as racist exceptionally in as we talk's society, Enoch replaced right into a guy of his time his values have been of a regrettably bygone era whilst Britain replaced into an particularly super united states, he replaced into an extreme psychological a professor on the age of 25, somebody for my area that makes as we talk's politicians look like brainless idiots, a guy who stood via his concepts and replaced into not afraid to declare precisely what he theory, it fairly is a shame that we've not anybody of his calibre as we talk. Edward Heath sacked him for that speech specifically with the aid of fact he did not notify every person he replaced into going to make it, I wager that earlier Heath died in 2005 he had many cases to mirror on Enoch Powells speech with the increasing realisation that he replaced into perfect. individually i don't care if people think of that what he suggested decrease back in 1968 replaced into racist, what I do care approximately is that his prophecy replaced into the superb option, not purely the fact of immigration however the fact we've allowed our custom to be washed away in a sea of stupid bloody political correctness which has made Britain right into a retarded mass of a blended up society without sparkling wisdom of its very own id. Enoch Powell R.I.P

Answer 9

i find this offensive for two reasons: one, no one should be subjected to another's rants & raves on another's sex,race and/or nationality. this should not be tolerated. silence, you remember, is acceptance. second, i object having another air their dissatisfaction. why are you the spokesperson? or are you that person & feel you can't be honest about it? or, better yet, is this not really happening & you are saying it does to cause dialogue? this is most egregious. stirring up an already boiling pot is unconscionable. just in case this is the 'real deal', you might want to recall the moral (of the story) placed by miles standish - you know, the one about speaking for one's self? as for you, you already know the answer to this so why are you asking?

Answer 10

Sue? Why doesn't he just quit. I don't think you can sue your boss because you don't like his opinions or remarks.