Topic: Would you fire someone for saying this?
beckyderp !yDoooooooo started this discussion 9 years ago #63,795
"I believe there are white niggers and black niggers" -white employee, said to black employee
| Poll option | Votes | Percentage | Graph |
|---|---|---|---|
| Yes | 1 | 8% | |
| Even the NZ troll wouldn't say that | 1 | 8% | |
| What is wrong with your employees | 3 | 23% | |
| Of course, you have no choice | 7 | 54% | |
| No | 1 | 8% |
Anonymous B joined in and replied with this 9 years ago, 14 minutes later[^] [v] #796,629
Write in:
Give bar of soap to employee and suggest employee wash mouth out with.
Give bar of soap to employee and suggest employee wash mouth out with.
Sheila LaBeouf joined in and replied with this 9 years ago, 3 hours later, 3 hours after the original post[^] [v] #796,655
yeah I'd fire him and have fun doing it
kook !!OPZbEQMT1 joined in and replied with this 9 years ago, 14 minutes later, 3 hours after the original post[^] [v] #796,658
You would kind of have to
Anonymous E joined in and replied with this 9 years ago, 39 minutes later, 4 hours after the original post[^] [v] #796,660
@OP
I request that you fire him or her, but strike an anime pose while you do it.
I request that you fire him or her, but strike an anime pose while you do it.
S. Squeegington III joined in and replied with this 9 years ago, 2 minutes later, 4 hours after the original post[^] [v] #796,661
was there a complaint? if there wasn't, if this was just overheard then i'd write them up for it at least. if there was a complaint then i'd take it pretty seriously and probably let them go. it doesn't sound like they were trying to be insulting necessarily, in fact it sounds like the kind of thing some stupid white guy might say to a black guy in an attempt to commiserate with them and try to build a rapport, "i'm not racist, i think every race has bad apples and they're all the same," but it might be hard to arbitrate differences if someone took offense, and keeping them around might just be trouble. even if you go to the white buy and verify he was just awkwardly trying to make friends, it might be hard to convince the black guy the dude is cool. i dunno how it all played out, i think you at the very least definitely pull the white guy into an office and have a little chat and let them know that that kind of language is unacceptable despite the content of his message. nip it in the bud, for sure.
but yeah, if this came to you by way of complaint i think you gotta let him go, that or do a lot of tap dancing. his little comment might've put you in an awkward spot, and so white dude needs to know he fucked up your day.
edit: by the way, i have nothing to do with HR really, but i often act as an advocate for our employees and contractors. so i can't speak from personal work experience, not my area, i deal more with their work and sometimes advocate for more pay.
but yeah, if this came to you by way of complaint i think you gotta let him go, that or do a lot of tap dancing. his little comment might've put you in an awkward spot, and so white dude needs to know he fucked up your day.
edit: by the way, i have nothing to do with HR really, but i often act as an advocate for our employees and contractors. so i can't speak from personal work experience, not my area, i deal more with their work and sometimes advocate for more pay.
(Edited 6 minutes later.)
The Witch Doctor !6W1Zpe4MCM joined in and replied with this 9 years ago, 6 minutes later, 4 hours after the original post[^] [v] #796,663
I would not fire him offhand, but I would certainly talk to him and let him know that the word "nigger" is not appropriate in a professional setting.
S. Squeegington III replied with this 9 years ago, 1 minute later, 4 hours after the original post[^] [v] #796,664
but since i'm a millionaire now i think these days i'd just quit my job and not worry about it. whatever you think is best, becky.(Edited 9 seconds later.)
Sheila LaBoof joined in and replied with this 9 years ago, 2 minutes later, 4 hours after the original post[^] [v] #796,666
I would at minimum, shout, "stop with the nigger talk and get back to work you lazy fag"
kook !!OPZbEQMT1 replied with this 9 years ago, 1 minute later, 4 hours after the original post[^] [v] #796,667
Anonymous I joined in and replied with this 9 years ago, 21 minutes later, 5 hours after the original post[^] [v] #796,670
The Witch Doctor !6W1Zpe4MCM replied with this 9 years ago, 30 seconds later, 5 hours after the original post[^] [v] #796,671
Anonymous I replied with this 9 years ago, 5 minutes later, 5 hours after the original post[^] [v] #796,674
beckyderp !yDoooooooo (OP) replied with this 9 years ago, 21 minutes later, 5 hours after the original post[^] [v] #796,675
@796,671 (The Witch Doctor !6W1Zpe4MCM)
I didn't witness it. Schedules have been weird with the holiday, and I just got out of a trial. A witness to the event told me just today. It apparently happened last week. The witness employee said that the employee to whom the comment was directed (who is black)(hereafter "Henn") had been pretty upset about it and brought it up to her later. Henn has not been in this week, scheduled vacation for the holiday. The racist-talking employee (hereafter "Owen") has been in and acting like nothing happened. I just found out prior to posting this topic today and am contemplating what to do.
The new person, the one who said it, is actually just temp. She's been doing great work but this shows a shocking lack of judgment. Witness (our longest serving and very trusted employee) indicated there was nothing about the lead-up to the comment that would make it more "okay" to use that word... say, no talk about the n-word, or racism or anything, just talking about how people can be trashy. I get @796,661 (S. Squeegington III)'s point but what the fuck? Not okay in 2017 (maybe okay in 2016 or earlier), I worry about the liability, I worry what might be said to clients if I'm not there?
Do I talk to Henn before firing Owen? That almost seems to make it worse--like putting the decision on her, and no one wants to take money away from a single mom like Owen.
I didn't witness it. Schedules have been weird with the holiday, and I just got out of a trial. A witness to the event told me just today. It apparently happened last week. The witness employee said that the employee to whom the comment was directed (who is black)(hereafter "Henn") had been pretty upset about it and brought it up to her later. Henn has not been in this week, scheduled vacation for the holiday. The racist-talking employee (hereafter "Owen") has been in and acting like nothing happened. I just found out prior to posting this topic today and am contemplating what to do.
The new person, the one who said it, is actually just temp. She's been doing great work but this shows a shocking lack of judgment. Witness (our longest serving and very trusted employee) indicated there was nothing about the lead-up to the comment that would make it more "okay" to use that word... say, no talk about the n-word, or racism or anything, just talking about how people can be trashy. I get @796,661 (S. Squeegington III)'s point but what the fuck? Not okay in 2017 (maybe okay in 2016 or earlier), I worry about the liability, I worry what might be said to clients if I'm not there?
Do I talk to Henn before firing Owen? That almost seems to make it worse--like putting the decision on her, and no one wants to take money away from a single mom like Owen.
squeegee joined in and replied with this 9 years ago, 11 minutes later, 5 hours after the original post[^] [v] #796,676
@previous (beckyderp !yDoooooooo)
yeah, you have to worry about liability, i don't atm so i'd advocate. but i wouldn't in this instance except to say what you've already said. great work, but if Henn is upset then you've already got a bad environment. i'd make her temp role redundant and let her go for sure.
i think at this point i'd be wondering how to approach henn about it. probably let him know you know and will be dealing with it?
sucky position, boss lady. i'd say keep henn happy and worry more about how this effect him and his work rather than the temp and her work.
yeah, you have to worry about liability, i don't atm so i'd advocate. but i wouldn't in this instance except to say what you've already said. great work, but if Henn is upset then you've already got a bad environment. i'd make her temp role redundant and let her go for sure.
i think at this point i'd be wondering how to approach henn about it. probably let him know you know and will be dealing with it?
sucky position, boss lady. i'd say keep henn happy and worry more about how this effect him and his work rather than the temp and her work.
Anonymous G replied with this 9 years ago, 3 minutes later, 5 hours after the original post[^] [v] #796,677
@796,675 (beckyderp !yDoooooooo)
I would go directly to Owen and have a talk and a warning, and say that you will have to fire him the next time he does something like that.
I would go directly to Owen and have a talk and a warning, and say that you will have to fire him the next time he does something like that.
Anonymous G double-posted this 9 years ago, 27 seconds later, 5 hours after the original post[^] [v] #796,678
@previous (G)
After talking to Owen, talk to Henn and explain that you take it seriously and gave a warning.
After talking to Owen, talk to Henn and explain that you take it seriously and gave a warning.
Anonymous K joined in and replied with this 9 years ago, 1 minute later, 5 hours after the original post[^] [v] #796,680
Rate Owens looks on a scale of 1-10 please. Thanks
Big Daddy Derek !Uvm54ORbmo joined in and replied with this 9 years ago, 11 minutes later, 6 hours after the original post[^] [v] #796,681
Sure is cucked in here.
Anonymous M joined in and replied with this 9 years ago, 1 minute later, 6 hours after the original post[^] [v] #796,682
squeegee replied with this 9 years ago, 50 seconds later, 6 hours after the original post[^] [v] #796,684
i asked the ladies in the office that handle HR and they said they'd speak with them both privately to determine both sides from both sources.
if they determine it to be true, then they would terminate the temp, and then let Henn know that her work had concluded and wouldn't be asked to stay on for any additional assignments.
that would be it. but both need to know theres an HR issue and it's being resolved. and the temp needs to know why she's not being asked to continue her role.
you can't keep people on like that especially if they're client facing. and she needs to know to cut it out it affected her job.
if they determine it to be true, then they would terminate the temp, and then let Henn know that her work had concluded and wouldn't be asked to stay on for any additional assignments.
that would be it. but both need to know theres an HR issue and it's being resolved. and the temp needs to know why she's not being asked to continue her role.
you can't keep people on like that especially if they're client facing. and she needs to know to cut it out it affected her job.
beckyderp !yDoooooooo (OP) replied with this 9 years ago, 1 minute later, 6 hours after the original post[^] [v] #796,685
@previous (squeegee)
You're just trolling. Holy shit no one would let Henn go under these circumstances. I continue to say you are an underrated troll though, you had me going for a few.
You're just trolling. Holy shit no one would let Henn go under these circumstances. I continue to say you are an underrated troll though, you had me going for a few.
Anonymous K replied with this 9 years ago, 2 minutes later, 6 hours after the original post[^] [v] #796,687
@previous (beckyderp !yDoooooooo)
Owen would let henn go under those circumstances. To protect her family's well being.
Owen would let henn go under those circumstances. To protect her family's well being.
squeegee replied with this 9 years ago, 19 seconds later, 6 hours after the original post[^] [v] #796,688
i like the warning idea though. the reason i think i end up advocating a lot is becuase things here are very much transactional and i have to argue value a lot.
a good employee is worth giving a second chance imo.
a good employee is worth giving a second chance imo.
squeegee double-posted this 9 years ago, 3 minutes later, 6 hours after the original post[^] [v] #796,689
Anonymous K replied with this 9 years ago, 31 seconds later, 6 hours after the original post[^] [v] #796,690
@796,688 (squeegee)
Is an employee who is a single mother supporting a family not worth a second chance?
Is an employee who is a single mother supporting a family not worth a second chance?
Anonymous K double-posted this 9 years ago, 1 minute later, 6 hours after the original post[^] [v] #796,691
squeegee replied with this 9 years ago, 14 minutes later, 6 hours after the original post[^] [v] #796,700
Anonymous K replied with this 9 years ago, 2 minutes later, 6 hours after the original post[^] [v] #796,703
@previous (squeegee)
Discrimination like that against solo mothers in the workplace is why there is a gender pay gap
Discrimination like that against solo mothers in the workplace is why there is a gender pay gap
Sheila LaBoof replied with this 9 years ago, 15 minutes later, 6 hours after the original post[^] [v] #796,711
@796,681 (Big Daddy Derek !Uvm54ORbmo)
> Sure is cucked in here.
faggot millennial and your rap lingo
> Sure is cucked in here.
faggot millennial and your rap lingo
(Edited 28 seconds later.)
beckyderp !yDoooooooo (OP) replied with this 9 years ago, 7 minutes later, 6 hours after the original post[^] [v] #796,713
Anonymous N joined in and replied with this 9 years ago, 8 minutes later, 7 hours after the original post[^] [v] #796,716
Very unfortunate. That definitely creates a bad environment. Especially if either of them doesn't feel like the situation was handled properly by HR.
Say Owen is written up and henn feels as though a simple write-up isn't enough. Henn, an actual employee, now feels as though the temp and the company are okay with this type of language in this professional environment. There could also possibly be tension if Owen feels like she did nothing wrong and a write-up was not warranted. Owen is now upset (hopefully not visibly or verbally) at possibly henn and the company for something that she thinks was not a big deal.
Simple.
Terminate Owen!
Say Owen is written up and henn feels as though a simple write-up isn't enough. Henn, an actual employee, now feels as though the temp and the company are okay with this type of language in this professional environment. There could also possibly be tension if Owen feels like she did nothing wrong and a write-up was not warranted. Owen is now upset (hopefully not visibly or verbally) at possibly henn and the company for something that she thinks was not a big deal.
Simple.
Terminate Owen!
Metæ joined in and replied with this 9 years ago, 5 minutes later, 7 hours after the original post[^] [v] #796,719
@796,713 (beckyderp !yDoooooooo)
What's the statute of limitations on racist comments in the workplace?
And also this being a law office, do you settle these things with a little mock trial with you as judge, Witness as prosecutor, and the rest of the employees impaneled as a jury? With people allowed to introduce evidence, call witnesses, etc?
What's the statute of limitations on racist comments in the workplace?
And also this being a law office, do you settle these things with a little mock trial with you as judge, Witness as prosecutor, and the rest of the employees impaneled as a jury? With people allowed to introduce evidence, call witnesses, etc?
Anonymous K replied with this 9 years ago, 1 minute later, 7 hours after the original post[^] [v] #796,722
@796,716 (N)
Should Owen be told that henn hasn't made a complaint, and that there is an office rat with an ulterior motive and a pocket full of hearsay? Because that's why Owen gets fired
Should Owen be told that henn hasn't made a complaint, and that there is an office rat with an ulterior motive and a pocket full of hearsay? Because that's why Owen gets fired