Ok everyone, I have an issue at work that has been bugging me for a while, but I am not quite sure what to do about it!

Without going into too much detail, there is a man I work with who is xenophobic, homophobic, sexist and also pretty racist. He claims he is not racist, and just protecting the interests of whites. I think I can guess how he voted in the local elections recently.

I find his views utterly disgusting. It started off that he mentioned he didn’t like French people, but over the last few months he has expressed his views more and more. Generally I just ignore him when he talks about it now, but it is getting to the stage where I feel uncomfortable working with him, and want to take further action.

I work for a very small company, and I am unsure what to do, and would appreciate your advice. My other colleagues feel the same way as me about his views, but I think they are not taking it so seriously. I don’t know whether to speak to the man in question directly, tell him I am unhappy, or to take it further, to our boss, who does not work in our office so does not hear what is said, or to take it even further than that.

Anyone else ever been in the same situation? Any ideas?

Thanks

You all need to go and report him. There's obviously a lot of you that are upset by this and you need to do something about it as he's obviously not going to change.

I know I need to do something, because what his says is wrong, I'm just not sure what the rules are as far as his employment are, and I want to tackle it in a professional way. As I said, I work in a very small office and I want to deal with it quickly and in the best way.

We had a similar problem at work a few years back.

He was told in no uncertain terms that his views would be best kept to himself and that if he felt the need to air them again we would report him.

He did and so we did.

Unfotunately our employers swept it under the carpet.

3 months later he was fired for rcaially abusing two asian girls he was supposed to be training.

Ok everyone, I have an issue at work that has been bugging me for a while, but I am not quite sure what to do about it!

Without going into too much detail, there is a man I work with who is xenophobic, homophobic, sexist and also pretty racist. He claims he is not racist, and just protecting the interests of whites. I think I can guess how he voted in the local elections recently.

I find his views utterly disgusting. It started off that he mentioned he didn’t like French people, but over the last few months he has expressed his views more and more. Generally I just ignore him when he talks about it now, but it is getting to the stage where I feel uncomfortable working with him, and want to take further action.

I work for a very small company, and I am unsure what to do, and would appreciate your advice. My other colleagues feel the same way as me about his views, but I think they are not taking it so seriously. I don’t know whether to speak to the man in question directly, tell him I am unhappy, or to take it further, to our boss, who does not work in our office so does not hear what is said, or to take it even further than that.

Anyone else ever been in the same situation? Any ideas?

Thanks

If someone in your workplace offends you with their comments irrespective of how other people feel it is inappropriate and can be dealt with as a disciplinary matter.

It is the persons perception of the comment regardless of the speakers intention.

A good example, I have a friend who is very large. She is on a diet and doing great. We are close and as a sarky comment in the office I call her fatty :) she is not offended and therefore it isn't a problem. If someone else chose to call her a name relating to her weight they could/and have been pull up on it.

Same with racist/homophobic/sexist comments. You tell the person you find their comment offensive and not to use it again, if they do report them!

If I was you I'd confront him about it directly. Say something along the lines of:

"Look, I'm not trying to change the way you think, but surely you must be socially aware enough to realise there are many people out there who find opinions such as yours offensive. Please can you keep your opinions to yourself in future, because I have no wish to hear them."

Thanks everyone. It's good to talk it over with people not connected to the situation, get a different perspective.

Ok everyone, I have an issue at work that has been bugging me for a while, but I am not quite sure what to do about it!

Without going into too much detail, there is a man I work with who is xenophobic, homophobic, sexist and also pretty racist. He claims he is not racist, and just protecting the interests of whites. I think I can guess how he voted in the local elections recently.

I find his views utterly disgusting. It started off that he mentioned he didn’t like French people, but over the last few months he has expressed his views more and more. Generally I just ignore him when he talks about it now, but it is getting to the stage where I feel uncomfortable working with him, and want to take further action.

I work for a very small company, and I am unsure what to do, and would appreciate your advice. My other colleagues feel the same way as me about his views, but I think they are not taking it so seriously. I don’t know whether to speak to the man in question directly, tell him I am unhappy, or to take it further, to our boss, who does not work in our office so does not hear what is said, or to take it even further than that.

Anyone else ever been in the same situation? Any ideas?

Thanksdoesnt matter what you do or how you do it he will still have his own opinions, tell him how you feel and you dont want to talk to him if he is going to go on about it all the time,he will either stop or he wont bother you again

I just read your thread. Hope you don't mind me extending the thread by responding. It was really intriguing for me to read.

I know I need to do something, because what his says is wrong, I'm just not sure what the rules are as far as his employment are, and I want to tackle it in a professional way. As I said, I work in a very small office and I want to deal with it quickly and in the best way.
Well, professionally, there are rules and regulations which is part of the Employment laws. (I certainly didn't realise this until I was handed a book after I was made redundant.) Maybe not everyone realises this themselves. I certainly didn't. The example that syko1979 gave about the sacking because the person was abusing the asian girls falls under the Employment Laws, I'm sure. If you were management, and didn't handle it, then a possible lawsuit would be from the girls to the company. Either that, or they take immediate action with the employee, and caution him. Employers have a duty to boost morale, motivation and create an effective productive environment for all employees. Cos we're paid to do work, obviously.

I think if you want to handle it professionally, I think someone ought to tell the guy when he should be formal and informal. If the guy was given a chance, then it's down to him to hold back his personal opinions. Or present them in a way that is not personal to any individuals. Maybe he felt open with people he works with, and hence his comments. If somebody doesn't tell him what is what, he would land himself into trouble a lot more too. Maybe he doesn't see the big picture of lawsuits to the company. Somebody ought to tell him that how he expresses his opinions are important. Not how he view things. Then let him decide what to do. If he continues to say certain things, and if it did in any way impact on his work and performances, thn it's down to the employers to take actions.

[Added] I wish u all the best in making a decision, cos I know it isn't easy. Especially if you view some colleagues as friends, and don't want to see them land into trouble too. Yet, I think that it's down to you how you handle it all. In a way that you feel okay about it yourself too. I think it's important to see that individuals take responsibility for themselves too.

I just read your thread. Hope you don't mind me extending the thread by responding. It was really intriguing for me to read.


Thanks Bago, and everyone else.
I think it is probably best to speak to him directly, and if that doesn't help then take it to my boss.
I agree I would be very unlikely to change his views (although I have tried!), but I would rather not hear such views expressed at work. I'd rather not hear them at all in fact, but especially not at work.

And yes, it is important for individuals to take responsibility. It is important for him to understand when it is anappropriate to make the comments he does, but I feel a responsibility too, to do something to put a stop to it.

Along with what everyone else has said I'd advise you to keep notes of the comments etc that upset you. eg Time/date/what was said/who else was present etc.
For example you could send emails to yourself to keep track of incidents.

In the passage of time things can become 'muddled' so a clear log can be extremely useful if things get escalated.

Nomme

I used to work with someone who was racist and made comments always everyday at first i ignored it, i was the 'new girl' but after a while it really started to grate on me, and i was being asked to agree with statements he was saying which i didnt agree with like "their all..(fill in the blank).. aren't they?" and i wasn't doing that so then i began saying well no actually i dont agree with that, theres no difference etc.etc. and i think he used to see this as a bit of a challenge and used to start about it everyday, and basically where i worked had alot of racists, and i seemed to be the only one who felt the behaviour was unacceptable and even though i wasn't part of the groups of people he used to go on about i used to get very frustrated and annoyed about it. I was that bothered i was going to go to the manager and have a word...until i heard the manager make a racist comment or two.

At the end of the day, i ended up ignoring it. But basically this guy was old and set in his ways and there was nothing i could do about it. I don't work with him anymore, but i since found out that he called me behind my back, argumentative and a 'tree hugger' hhmmm just because i wasn't racist. :loopy:

Best way to stop racism in the workplace is probably not to employ them.

Best way to stop racism in the workplace is probably not to employ them. i think that just because sombody is racist you cannot refuse to employ them as that is discrimination

Yet, neither would u employ such a person who would put your company in jeopardy either, right ? What if you have to appear as an equal opportunity employer and all that, so you therefore will employ a person from an ethnic background, and there may be some gelling issues at hand. Potential racial lawsuits may be at hand too.

Or it goes the other way. Not employing ethnic minorities who do apply would make the employer seen as biased too. Again, a different type of discrimination.

How will a company make a profit, if its employees do not gel and work as a team, and make money ? They're not likely to expand on an International level. How would you deal with such situations ?

i think that just because sombody is racist you cannot refuse to employ them as that is discrimination

I disagree, if you're not going to keep your narrow minded, old fashioned views to yourself you upset work collegues, both those you discriminate against and those you dont and if you work with customers you may treat people differently, i've seen it happen.

Its unacceptable at the end of the day.


Edit: that is not aimed at craigmason, just the comment

It is the persons perception of the comment regardless of the speakers intention.

A good example, I have a friend who is very large. She is on a diet and doing great. We are close and as a sarky comment in the office I call her fatty :) she is not offended and therefore it isn't a problem. If someone else chose to call her a name relating to her weight they could/and have been pull up on it.
I'm appalled by this, fox20thc. Comments should be judged in an objective manner, not on an individual's subjective whim.

i think that just because sombody is racist you cannot refuse to employ them as that is discrimination

thats not what was meant ;)

thats not what was meant ;)

Perhaps you'd care to clarify then Internetowl? You seem to be very good at making indirect and unclear posts which 'hint' at your opinion, much less so at having the conviction to speak your mind openly.

Perhaps you'd care to clarify then Internetowl? You seem to be very good at making indirect and unclear posts which 'hint' at your opinion, much less so at having the conviction to speak your mind openly.
Internetowl is clearly going for the enigmatic approach. I think you should allow him to leave his air of mystery intact; God knows what lurks underneath... ;) .

Internetowl is clearly going for the enigmatic approach. I think you should allow him to leave his air of mystery intact; God knows what lurks underneath... ;) .

Unless he has the honesty to explain himself we'll never know: but I expect it's pretty unsavoury.

Edit: To return to penny_crayon's OP, I agree fully with those who suggest that he best way to deal with it is to confront it at every turn. Not easy, but get support from your colleagues.

I disagree, if you're not going to keep your narrow minded, old fashioned views to yourself you upset work collegues, both those you discriminate against and those you dont and if you work with customers you may treat people differently, i've seen it happen.

Its unacceptable at the end of the day.


Edit: that is not aimed at craigmason, just the comment
It could also be aimed at other ''groups'' of people who regularly play the race card too I feel. :(

To the OP, tell him you dont support his views and that he keeps them to himself and you will do the same.

If he's racist to you??? then report him. Otherwise they are simply his views but you can ask that he keeps them to himself.

Report the offender to Tony's THOUGHT POLICE. He will be charged with THOUGHT CRIME and taken away for 'processing'. Orwell described a state over-run by secret police and spies, but judging by the number of people on this forum willing to 'report' people for their opinions the secret police would not be required.

Thanks to everyone for their input, it has made me feel more confident about what I need to do.

Nimrod, I think all people are suggesting is that there are certain opinions which should not be shared in the workplace becasue they are innapropriate and upset people. Although I would like to change the views of this man, and have tried, I also accept that unfortunately our opinions differ.

Penny, what if your opinion or 'preception' of his opinion is wrong? Just something to consider before reacting.

Penny, what if your opinion or 'preception' of his opinion is wrong? Just something to consider before reacting.

It's an interesting question, and I have thought this myself, which I think is why I haven't acted sooner. As already mentioned, there is a certain degree of subjectivity in deciding what is or is not appropriate. I am not necessarily saying my opinions are "correct", although I think they do conform more with what is generally considered acceptable in the multicultural society we live in.

I think really it is best just not to bring certain issues up at work, and not to use certain words etc, and then there can be no debate and no-one can be upset. If we can agree on this, then it doesn't matter whether I am right or wrong.

'bucket head sand' is the best policy as has been demonstrated on this forum on many occassions ;)

'bucket head sand' is the best policy as has been demonstrated on this forum on many occassions ;)

Yeah, in a way! But I think just participating in this discussion blows the sand from your eyes.

Also the phrase "agree to disagree" springs to mind. Afterall, we have to work together.

Best way to stop racism in the workplace is to only employ one race e.g. White English only or Afro Caribbean only. I would never happen but it IS the best way:thumbsup:

Best way to stop racism in the workplace is to only employ one race e.g. White English only or Afro Caribbean only. I would never happen but it IS the best way:thumbsup:

:rolleyes: oh God! :rolleyes: Wow what an backwards idea, yeah lets go back to segregation and legal discrimination aswell, maybe parks for white people and parks for black people? Maybe signs outside of shops saying "no jews" etc. Then the racist people dont have to let people not of their 'own kind' through the door.

rooty, what a cool idea, I never thought of that! My previous post was of course not to be taken seriously. Sorry if it caused offence.

rooty, what a cool idea, I never thought of that! My previous post was of course not to be taken seriously. Sorry if it caused offence.

If it wasn't to be taken seriously you should really give that impression maybe by using the smilies?! Some people actually do believe that sort of thing and personally i find it :loopy: and sick

Sack all the white folk, that should sort it out.

I am not necessarily saying my opinions are "correct", although I think they do conform more with what is generally considered acceptable in the multicultural society we live in.

.

i think you are in a no win situation unless you work for a public sector company who have PC as their company logo.

just because the pc brigade consider it to be acceptable doesn't mean that the man in the street accepts it as so.

it may be better to remark in reply that you don't hold the same views - however if he is of the bullying type that may be fuel for future taunting.
the best option is to tell him that your not interested & then ignore him, it has always worked for me,usually by changing the topic or identifying positive role models from the categories he despises.

Ok everyone, I have an issue at work that has been bugging me for a while, but I am not quite sure what to do about it!

Without going into too much detail, there is a man I work with who is xenophobic, homophobic, sexist and also pretty racist. He claims he is not racist, and just protecting the interests of whites. I think I can guess how he voted in the local elections recently.

I find his views utterly disgusting. It started off that he mentioned he didn’t like French people, but over the last few months he has expressed his views more and more. Generally I just ignore him when he talks about it now, but it is getting to the stage where I feel uncomfortable working with him, and want to take further action.

I work for a very small company, and I am unsure what to do, and would appreciate your advice. My other colleagues feel the same way as me about his views, but I think they are not taking it so seriously. I don’t know whether to speak to the man in question directly, tell him I am unhappy, or to take it further, to our boss, who does not work in our office so does not hear what is said, or to take it even further than that.

Anyone else ever been in the same situation? Any ideas?

Thanks

I'd kidnap him, take him to france, and throw his passport in the channel. :thumbsup:

Sack all the white folk, that should sort it out.


why would it?
the op said he commented on the french - i think they may be pale skinned.

if you want racism put asians,indians & africans in the same workplace and watch the sparks fly. i found them to more racist than the scots to the english during the world cup.

why would it?
the op said he commented on the french - i think they may be pale skinned.

if you want racism put asians,indians & africans in the same workplace and watch the sparks fly. i found them to more racist than the scots to the english during the world cup.

I was being a little sarcastic.

I was being a little sarcastic.


and i was being defensive.just 'cos people are white doesn't mean they all like one another.