Is there anything I can do about the nepotism in my work place? do I have a valid case? any suggestions?

Question

The company I work for was resently sold and bought buy new owners at which time the new owner ensured me that I would not loose my position 2 months later I was demoted and replaced by the owners nephew. (the nephew once worked under me I basicly was used to train him to take my place) The owners are Indian as well as the nephew ( of course) I am African american ( the only african amarican )I am not trying to play the race card but I really think that is is unfair considering I was doing my job more then my job actually. I am not looking to get rich I just want them to know that it's not ok to do this to people are there any laws against this is this discrimination? what if anything can I do? or do I just have to accept it? also, if there is anything I can do as far as a case would it be ok to quit or would that ruin my chances I am very uncomfortable continuing to work here? please any information would be helpful thanks for reading

Answer 1

This promise he promised you. Is it on paper or just verbal. If it's the latter then its your words against his. Think about it.. what can you claim in court. Just because the owner promoted his nephew, it does not make him a racist. Best thing I can suggest is change job unless you can find more solid evidence to support your case.

Good luck!

Answer 2

There are no laws prohibiting nepotism, and in fact it is a common practice particularly in many Asian cultures. Most companies in the US frown on nepotistic practices because it causes the sorts of employee relations problems that you describe - people feel passed over, there are allegations of favoritism, the boss's nephew or daughter or spouse is resented and has a hard time getting anything accomplished, etc.

Unfortunately you don't have grounds to pursue a case here. Your best bet would be to try and talk to the owners and see if you can be trained for another opportunity in the company, or to look for another job. You are not going to change the culture of this organization single-handedly.

Good luck.

Answer 3

So far, I am the only person not to leap on the nepotism aspect. While this demotion is certainly painful, there are definitive indications here that the decision was more objective than subjective. Granted, this is an informal forum; still, the remarks above are not representative of management level documentation. Discussing these issues would be difficult for any manager, especially a newcomer.

You might consider an email to the owner, titled: Transition Team Responsibilities. Say you would like to meet, over lunch, to promote his management philosophy. This unexpected, if not welcome, gesture could address as many issues for him as it does for you. Also, a public meeting could make him more open to discussion.

Please be deliberate in your planning and cautious in your actions. We all wish you well. Good Luck.

Answer 4

If you do not have anything in writing you have no claim. I was an HR Manager for many years. In one job, we hired a lot of people from other countries. Whenever we hired men from the mid-east, or India, Pakistan, etc. we found that there was always a gender issue. We actually fired one person because he refused to take orders from a woman. Unfortunately, his supervisor and manager were women.

I do not believe these people think this is discrimination because in their culture, women are second class citizens. You being an African American woman just seems to add to the problem. They don't seem to want to adopt to our laws regarding women, however, they quickly learn about race discrimination in our country and take advantage of it.

I am truly sorry you have to deal with this. Hopefully, someday, we as a world will find a means to cease all discrimination. I don't think it will happen in our lifetime. Incidently, my son-in-law took a job with a company managed by Indians. He is a white male and they discriminate against him too.

Answer 5

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Answer 6

This isn't "fair", but life never is, and it sounds like a family thing, not a racial thing.

If it were me, I'd quit and file for unemployment, and do my absolute best to get hired by the competition in a nearby office. It's usually a bad idea to do this, but I'd take my contact list with me, and spend the first day or two chatting with them about the new job, and why I left the old one.

Answer 7

My advice is to wait this out a bit and see if things improve. It may all even out and end up being an even better place to work.

Then, if you still are unhappy, start looking for another job. Just don't burn your bridges there. You may need a good recommendation from them for your next job.

Good luck!

Answer 8

I would think that if you do not have a contract that you would have no leg to stand on. They (as a private business owner) should have the right to hire whom they choose. It is their money not mine or yours. I highly doubt it has anything to do with race but more to do with family. If you understand their culture it is highly controlled by family.