Find your diamond
Find your jewelry
shape
carat
color
clarity

Speak up or keep quiet.. what would you do.

Status
Not open for further replies. Please create a new topic or request for this thread to be opened.
strmrdr

strmrdr

Super_Ideal_Rock
Joined
Nov 1, 2003
Messages
23,295
One of my clients employees called me with a computer problem, since I cant go in because of the flu I was walking her thru fixing it on the phone.

In the background I hear one of the newer employees say "f-word-ing Race" (not the actual words but you get the picture) in a loud voice multiple times as well as bad stuff about them.
I know the boss well and he does not tolerate that kind of thing.
The office is a public place with a lot of people in and out all day.
Would you tell him or not?

Once I get some opinions I will share what I did.
 
I tried to translate what f-word-ing race would mean but didn''t get it.

In any event I''m assuming this was a racial slur and based on that assumption, I would tell the boss. The reason for telling the boss would be that a) even if it weren''t directed at me, I would feel offended b) if I weren''t on the phone, it would have been another customer or vendor or whatever that would have been offended as well and c) it isn''t tolerated. Just because the boss isn''t around, that doesn''t mean the rules of the office disappear.
 
If it is indeed race related I would speak up. Discrimination in the work place (let alone anywhere else) should not be tollerated. However, I don''t know enough about the situation to say how I would personally handle it.
 
Date: 1/12/2009 3:04:56 PM
Author: fieryred33143
I tried to translate what f-word-ing race would mean but didn''t get it.


In any event I''m assuming this was a racial slur and based on that assumption, I would tell the boss. The reason for telling the boss would be that a) even if it weren''t directed at me, I would feel offended b) if I weren''t on the phone, it would have been another customer or vendor or whatever that would have been offended as well and c) it isn''t tolerated. Just because the boss isn''t around, that doesn''t mean the rules of the office disappear.
Click to expand...

Ditto this. That kind of thing has NO PLACE in business, in society, in basic civilized human interaction. If s/he gets fired, I wouldn''t shed a tear: more hopefully, the boss will explain WHY this is unacceptable in a way that gets through.
 
As disgusting as it is, I wouldn''t get involved...you don''t know who said it for sure, and chances are if that person really is that ignorant eventually it will slip out in front of his/her boss.

But, if you''re really feeling like by saying nothing you''re basically saying that type of language is okay...then I would mention it to the boss in an off-the-cuff sort of fashion...not making a point of calling him/her up to nark that person out, but next time the opportunity presents itself to mention the incident, take full advantage of it, like "wow, last time I was the on the phone with So&So, one of your employees was really amped up over something, he/she kept saying ...."
 
Date: 1/12/2009 3:09:25 PM
Author: Italiahaircolor
As disgusting as it is, I wouldn''t get involved...you don''t know who said it for sure, and chances are if that person really is that ignorant eventually it will slip out in front of his/her boss.
Click to expand...
That''s actually a good point since on the phone you can only assume who said it but you can''t be 100% sure (unless the person you were speaking to said "that was Bob") so before saying anything, you have to be careful.
 
I don't know how else to put it that is 1: within the rules 2: something I can/would say because to say it would insult some good friends of mine as well as deeply respected members of this board.

I knew who said it because the person has a unique voice and I asked the person I was working with if that was (name) and she said yes.
 
strm, are you saying they said the "n" word? with "efing" in front of it? I think that''s what you mean, but trying another way to say it, without saying it.

I would probably say something myself.
 
I''d speak up.
 
Strm, is this a privately owned business or a corporation?

If it''s a corp, I''d call and file a complaint with HR...not that they can do much unless the person admits to it.
 
If you know the boss well it might be appropriate to casually mention it since he may want to know. I would speak to him privately about the matter. If you didn''t know him, I probably would do nothing or contact HR about the situation if it was particularly offensive.
 
Date: 1/12/2009 3:23:41 PM
Author: Italiahaircolor
Strm, is this a privately owned business or a corporation?


If it''s a corp, I''d call and file a complaint with HR...not that they can do much unless the person admits to it.
Click to expand...
privately owned in a regulated industry.
The boss and his wife are the HR department. (10 employees total)
 
Date: 1/12/2009 3:28:19 PM
Author: kcoursolle
If you know the boss well it might be appropriate to casually mention it since he may want to know. I would speak to him privately about the matter. If you didn''t know him, I probably would do nothing or contact HR about the situation if it was particularly offensive.
Click to expand...

Exactly what I would do.
 
I''d seak up, sounds like he''d want to know....
 
I would probably say it to him without naming anyone. Just say that you heard it while you were on the phone and that you don''t want their clients to hear that if they ring in. I presume the boss will then speak to all staff so they might be more careful in the future.

Hope you feel better soon!
 
Yes I would tell him.
 
I'd tattle and name names, but that's just me. If you know the boss and know he'd be none too happy, I don't see the problem. Call it out loud. I have no tolerance for blatent ignorance. I've met people in this town that are racist and/or homophobic and the drop words like everybody uses them. I've said more than once, "Well maybe in your circle of friends that language is appropriate, but not in front of me. I'd rather not hear you talk about people using your foul choice of words."

So, how did you handle it?
 
I''d tell him. In fact, I have done in a similar situation. The organisation I work for has a legal duty to promote racial equality, so if I heard that on a business call during the working day, with another business we are in contact with, I''d have a responsibility to tackle it.

I didn''t mention any names (although I knew who it was, this situation wasn''t over the phone, I was in the company''s reception). I just mentioned to the manager that I was in for a meeting and overheard inappropriate language (it was actually a racist ''joke'') between staff members. The manager dealt with it by reminding staff of their obligations as employees (code of conduct, dignity at work and equality policies, for example) and as human beings (what were you thinking??).

So, what did you do? I''m guessing that since it offended you deeply, then you''ve done something about it? Some people are morons, I hope what you overheard isn''t still upsetting you. I also hope the boss deals with it once and for all.

Jen
 
I put the phone on mute and called him(the boss) on my home phone and asked him to walk over there and listen without telling him why.
His office isn't that far away.
He did and I heard it from his phone also, He then said thanks he will deal with it and hung up.
That way he heard for himself and no one can blame the lady I was talking to or me.
I then went back to helping the lady with her problem.
 
That was a wonderful way to handle it Karl. I am very proud of you!!!
36.gif
36.gif
 
Perfect. No hearsay, tale telling or dubiety about who said what. Caught in the act.

Well done you!

Jen
 
Good job Karl!
36.gif
You handled it better than I would have. I would''ve walked in there (sick or not) with a bar of soap and taken it to his mouth!!!

And thank you for being so caring! There are just too many people who would not give something like this a second thought.
 
That''s awesome Karl, you did a great job.
36.gif
 
Fantastic job Karl
36.gif
 
Sounds like you handled it the right way.
 
He called and thanked me.
He fired 2 people, I didn''t hear the other one but there were 2.
If someone had heard it and filed a complaint he could have lost his business as he is required by law to be equal opportunity in his business and the licensing board takes complaints very seriously.
 
Wow Karl, a good thing you called him.
 
I''d say something to the boss - if I were the boss, I''d really want to know, for many reasons...
 
It''s one of your clients employees. Not your employee. Let your client handle their own employee discipline without your imput. While they may have been out of line, and I think they were, it is not up to you to tattle on them. Their boss will discover this problem in due time.
 
You did a good thing. What if a customer had heard them on a phone call? They were lucky it was you.
 
Status
Not open for further replies. Please create a new topic or request for this thread to be opened.
GET 3 FREE HCA RESULTS JOIN THE FORUM. ASK FOR HELP
Jewelry Blog
PriceScope-Concierge-Ad
Find prime cuts.
Top