New boss making racist remarks...
Discussion
I've very recently started a new job that has me working closely with my boss, a 50 something white chap. I'm also white
Last week we were looking through the CCTV to find a relatively innocuous incident that happened over the weekend. Said boss fires up the camera software and proclaims "Let's see if we can find this jungle bunny". I was a bit taken aback and looked up at a colleague who happened to be in the office at the time who seemed to force an uncomfortable smile.
So boss man is looking through the footage, colleague leaves after a few mintutes and I'm working at my computer. It's quiet but then I hear "There's the
!". Not quite sure what to say or do, I said and did nothing. He then said something along the lines of "There won't be any of them round here when Joe Bloggs goes" (Joe Bloggs is another colleague who's black and is leaving in the next few months)
What would you have done? What should I have done? I don't want to make waves but obviously it doesn't sit right with me.
PS I also witnessed boss man leaning his car door on the car next to it in the car park. This was my first day and as you can tell from above i'm a cowardly sole so again said nothing. Obviously I should have marched him off for summary execution at that point...
Last week we were looking through the CCTV to find a relatively innocuous incident that happened over the weekend. Said boss fires up the camera software and proclaims "Let's see if we can find this jungle bunny". I was a bit taken aback and looked up at a colleague who happened to be in the office at the time who seemed to force an uncomfortable smile.
So boss man is looking through the footage, colleague leaves after a few mintutes and I'm working at my computer. It's quiet but then I hear "There's the
!". Not quite sure what to say or do, I said and did nothing. He then said something along the lines of "There won't be any of them round here when Joe Bloggs goes" (Joe Bloggs is another colleague who's black and is leaving in the next few months)What would you have done? What should I have done? I don't want to make waves but obviously it doesn't sit right with me.
PS I also witnessed boss man leaning his car door on the car next to it in the car park. This was my first day and as you can tell from above i'm a cowardly sole so again said nothing. Obviously I should have marched him off for summary execution at that point...
Pothole said:
You type well for a flat fish.
I know what I'd like to think I would do. Having been unemployed for 7 months, though, I would probably grit my teeth...you could always keep a diary and get some professional advice. Are you in a union?
all depends on whether the 'boss' is actually 'The' boss or just a supervisory grade to the OP ... I know what I'd like to think I would do. Having been unemployed for 7 months, though, I would probably grit my teeth...you could always keep a diary and get some professional advice. Are you in a union?
Pothole said:
You type well for a flat fish.
Why thank you 
He's a middle boss man but could make life difficult for me if he chose. He's head of a department, senior manager level. Unfortunately I need the job, I could go back to my last place of work but it would be a step back down.
There is a union but I haven't joined (yet). Joe Bloggs is going to a better, much higher paid job. He also doesn't have much contact with boss man.
I suspect I'll keep schtum and keep a record. And never park next to him.
RodentRacing said:
Pothole said:
You type well for a flat fish.
Why thank you He's a middle boss man but could make life difficult for me if he chose. He's head of a department, senior manager level. Unfortunately I need the job, I could go back to my last place of work but it would be a step back down.
There is a union but I haven't joined (yet). Joe Bloggs is going to a better, much higher paid job. He also doesn't have much contact with boss man.
I suspect I'll keep schtum and keep a record. And never park next to him.
The correct thjng to do is to tell your boss that you object to his remarks, and to complain about them to his boss. If you don't, then the sort of work culture favoured by this man will persist. You are protected from adverse treatment by whistleblowing legislation. Note also that to create for you an uncomfortable working environment in this way can itself be a form of harassment.
Be firm in your principles and tackle the situation.
Be firm in your principles and tackle the situation.
OP, do not jump in just yet. Find out if it is limited to just this person or endemic within the business.
If a culture of such language/behaviour - you decide if this business is for you.
Should it just be "your boss", bide your time and subsequently, Union or HR or anonymous letter.
"Whistleblower" legislation is poppycock, do not jeopardise your job unless your principles can outweigh your livelihood.
Great to see that you feel strongly enough to air your concerns in one of our more sensible sub-forums.
If a culture of such language/behaviour - you decide if this business is for you.
Should it just be "your boss", bide your time and subsequently, Union or HR or anonymous letter.
"Whistleblower" legislation is poppycock, do not jeopardise your job unless your principles can outweigh your livelihood.
Great to see that you feel strongly enough to air your concerns in one of our more sensible sub-forums.
Whistleblower legislation is not poppycock. How many whistleblowing cases have you done, T5r+? My guess is: somewhere between none and none. I have done several, and the legislation is effective if an employee keeps his or her resolve.
OP, as always here, you can take your advice from some amateur who has read some websites or had some pub chats, or from an actual employment lawyer: your choice.
OP, as always here, you can take your advice from some amateur who has read some websites or had some pub chats, or from an actual employment lawyer: your choice.
Breadvan72 said:
Whistleblower legislation is not poppycock. How many whistleblowing cases have you done, T5r+? My guess is: somewhere between none and none. I have done several, and the legislation is effective if an employee keeps his or her resolve.
OP, as always here, you can take your advice from some amateur who has read some websites or had some pub chats, or from an actual employment lawyer: your choice.
Good post. I would personally (as an amateur) take the following steps:OP, as always here, you can take your advice from some amateur who has read some websites or had some pub chats, or from an actual employment lawyer: your choice.
a) Join a union. (Note that I was the ONLY person in a union in one company I worked in, and when my bully boy boss attempted to manage me out, it was very interesting to see how the company back tracked, very quickly after the 1st meeting with their legal bod.
b) Document the times and places, witnesses and context of every event
c) Start recording conversations with him.
d) Talk to the union, about the best steps.
e) Have a private appointment with HR
I'm sad to say that I once (15 years ago) worked with a Middle Manager who was a member of the BNP, and he knew I thought his views vile, so he used to spout them to wind me up. I did nothing, but tried to argue against his views, but I should have done something. He's had agency workers sacked, solely because of their race.
People like that have no business being in any position of authority, and I feel some shame that I did nothing.
These days I would personally (as an amateur) take the following steps:
a) Join a union.
b) Document the times and places, witnesses and context of every event
c) Start recording conversations with him.
d) Talk to the union, about the best steps.
e) Have a private appointment with HR and union to discuss his behaviour and my evidence.
It's hard to tell from the information here how deep or serious his racism is, but to me it sounds like you're being massively over sensitive about it.
Is he victimising or bullying anyone? Or is it just tasteless language? If the latter I'd be inclined to let it go, maybe just point out that you don't think it's really appropriate.
Is he victimising or bullying anyone? Or is it just tasteless language? If the latter I'd be inclined to let it go, maybe just point out that you don't think it's really appropriate.
T5R+ said:
OP, do not jump in just yet. Find out if it is limited to just this person or endemic within the business.
If a culture of such language/behaviour - you decide if this business is for you.
Should it just be "your boss", bide your time and subsequently, Union or HR or anonymous letter.
"Whistleblower" legislation is poppycock, do not jeopardise your job unless your principles can outweigh your livelihood.
Great to see that you feel strongly enough to air your concerns in one of our more sensible sub-forums.
Top advice here. If a culture of such language/behaviour - you decide if this business is for you.
Should it just be "your boss", bide your time and subsequently, Union or HR or anonymous letter.
"Whistleblower" legislation is poppycock, do not jeopardise your job unless your principles can outweigh your livelihood.
Great to see that you feel strongly enough to air your concerns in one of our more sensible sub-forums.
pp
I am aware of a case in a local "spar" shop whereby a staff member was involved in these types of comments, it is my understanding that the hr bods put together a comprehensive case against the chap using staff statements and covert cameras as the employer was not restricted by ripa etc.
I had to partner up at work with an older white man who would come out with all sorts of derogatory stuff about those of middle eastern and Pakistani origin.
Whilst I was also white, it made me very uncomfortable to have to listen to him go on about this stuff. There was no escape from it as I had to work with him every day (not an office job).
To cut a long story short, it all came to a head one day and I called the manager to say i'd had enough and I was quitting (hated the job). I talked to him about all the stuff this guy had been saying etc, and oh by the way, the knob had admitted to me that he fills a jerrycan up with diesel (for his own car!) every time he filled the van up on the company fuel card.
Management did some investigating and he lost his job, I suspect for the stealing fuel aspect rather than anything else. However I don't feel guilty because he really was a prize tt.
Basically OP - just because you're white and your colleagues are white that's not free reign to say stuff like that. He doesn't know your background, who you're married to, friends with, all that stuff. It's just wrong and age isn't an excuse.
Whilst I was also white, it made me very uncomfortable to have to listen to him go on about this stuff. There was no escape from it as I had to work with him every day (not an office job).
To cut a long story short, it all came to a head one day and I called the manager to say i'd had enough and I was quitting (hated the job). I talked to him about all the stuff this guy had been saying etc, and oh by the way, the knob had admitted to me that he fills a jerrycan up with diesel (for his own car!) every time he filled the van up on the company fuel card.
Management did some investigating and he lost his job, I suspect for the stealing fuel aspect rather than anything else. However I don't feel guilty because he really was a prize t
t.Basically OP - just because you're white and your colleagues are white that's not free reign to say stuff like that. He doesn't know your background, who you're married to, friends with, all that stuff. It's just wrong and age isn't an excuse.
Edited by blueheron on Monday 13th May 13:02
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