I am an RN that works in the Behavioral Health field. I am Italian and my hubby is AA. We have 4 beautiful children and are very happy together. My problem is the staff I work with keep making derogatory racial statements/slurs in my presence. They all know that I have a racially mixed family yet this still continues! I have told them on numerous occasions that I am extremely offended by their comments, yet the behavior continues. Last night one of my co-workers was talking about Obama, and he said "I wouldn't care if we had a mixed race president, I just wish he wasn't half ******!" I was infuriated and I told him so!!!!!!! :argue::argue: The jerk then tried to apologize to me for making that comment. I told him I didn't accept his apology, because he continues to make these same statements over and over! Unfortunately, he is not the only one that does this, there are several others guilty of doing the same thing! I have told my supervisor on numerous occasions, and she has talked to the staff several times yet it continues on an almost nightly basis! The supervisor brought in administration and they supposedly "counseled" them, yet this still continues! Please tell me how to handle this! I am almost ready to quit my job, because I think one night I am really just gonna lose it and end up getting fired for killing one of them!!!!!!!!!
It is very sad to me that racism is still so prevalent in our society. It is even sadder that it exists in health care professionals! How can a health care worker give quality care to every pt. if they are so racist??? This not only infuriates me, but it also makes me extremely sad!!:crying: Please give me some advice!
It's a shame the in this day & age racism still exists. I have a bi-racial grandbaby. I was devastated when my single daughter told me that she was pregnant to her AA BF. I was not devastated because I am racist, but because her family members are. I knew that she would have to deal with the terrible comments. Her paternal grandmother is about the biggest racist that I know. And, my daughter's bilogical father has nothing to do with her. He has never asked about my grandbaby. Oh well, his loss.
It hurts that she will always have to deal with comments about having bi-racial child. But, she stands her ground, and I am proud of her.
Mytoon, I believe with OP that you need to take this to the next level.
scroll down to Harassment/Hostile Work Environment
"Title VII prohibits offensive conduct, such as race or ethnic slurs, racial "jokes", derogatory comments, or other verbal or physical conduct based on an individual's race/color. The conduct has to be unwelcome and offensive, and has to be severe or pervasive. Employers are required to take appropriate steps to prevent and correct unlawful harassment. Likewise, employees are responsible for reporting harassment at an early stage to prevent its escalation."
you have already reported this to your supervisor. there is no need to take it further. the only thing you need to do is contact the equal empoyment oppurtunity commision.
...discriminatory practices under these laws also include:
harassment on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability, or age;
not only do you not have to report it further up the chain they cannot discipline you for reporting it to the eeoc. by not terminating the people who have consistently made these remarks they have in essence allowed the abuse to continue. not acting on this abuse directly involves the company and makes them legally and civilly responsible for the abuse.
the eeoc defines harassment as unwelcome conduct that is based on race, color, sex, religion, national origin, disability, and/or age. harassment becomes unlawful where 1) enduring the offensive conduct becomes a condition of continued employment, or 2) the conduct is severe or pervasive enough to create a work environment that a reasonable person would consider intimidating, hostile, or abusive.
make a journal of every comment and time someone has done this and include the dates and times and to who you reported these remarks too. then take that information and report their sorry behinds.
offensive conduct may include, but is not limited to, offensive jokes, slurs, epithets or name calling, physical assaults or threats, intimidation, ridicule or mockery, insults or put-downs, offensive objects or pictures, and interference with work performance. harassment can occur in a variety of circumstances, including, but not limited to, the following:
the harasser can be the victim's supervisor, a supervisor in another area, an agent of the employer, a co-worker, or a non-employee.
the victim does not have to be the person harassed, but can be anyone affected by the offensive conduct.
unlawful harassment may occur without economic injury to, or discharge of, the victim.
Thanks everyone for all the feedback and encouragement!
Today the acting Administrator called me to discuss the situation. He said he would discuss the situation with the CEO, and get back to me. He said they were taking the complaints very seriously and it would not be tolerated at our hospital. As stupid as this sounds, I really don't want the guys to lose their jobs. I only want the derogatory racial statements and stereotyping to stop.
Mytoon, I know you don't want them to lose their jobs, and that is admirable. You have handled this correctly. Spoke to them, spoke to your supervisor. No improvement=go to Administration. You have no reason to feel guilty. Best wishes and keep us posted!!
If the CEO and Administrator have any sense they'll most likely end up bouncing the ones that said it. To take any other action could place them in jeopardy as it could be construed as them consenting to the action.
It's easier for them to replace a couple of employees than it is to withstand the scrutiny of the EEOC.
Besides, it's 2008. They should know better. No excuse for their behavior.
Thanks everyone for all the feedback and encouragement!
Today the acting Administrator called me to discuss the situation. He said he would discuss the situation with the CEO, and get back to me. He said they were taking the complaints very seriously and it would not be tolerated at our hospital. As stupid as this sounds, I really don't want the guys to lose their jobs. I only want the derogatory racial statements and stereotyping to stop.
I'm never surprised to discover that racism exists. I am, however, always surprised at what people will actually say out loud.
I think it's impossible to grow up in this society without unconsciously absorbing negative stereotypes. I sometimes astonish myself with thoughts that I have because I was not raised that way and certainly don't "believe" them. But they flit by, none-the-less.
Ignorance and cruelty know no color. And good for you for standing up for yourself and, well, all of us.
“If I am not for myself, then who will be for me? And if I am only for myself, then what am I? And if not now, when?” Rabbi Hillel
Specializes in Community Health, Med-Surg, Home Health.
Update:
Thanks everyone for all the feedback and encouragement!
Today the acting Administrator called me to discuss the situation. He said he would discuss the situation with the CEO, and get back to me. He said they were taking the complaints very seriously and it would not be tolerated at our hospital. As stupid as this sounds, I really don't want the guys to lose their jobs. I only want the derogatory racial statements and stereotyping to stop.
I hope that things work out. In the meantime, enjoy your beautiful spouse and children. That is what is important...having the love and support from your family.
MANY THANKS to ALL of you that gave me advice and such helpful information. :up:I have had my 3 days off, but tomorrow is my night to go back to work. I sure hope I don't have any problems with the staff. Wish me luck! :DI am sure they haven't terminated the guys, because when the acting adminstrator called me he said they would let me know when they determined what the outcome of the investigation was. By the way, another co-worker that works another shift, told me that the acting administrator is one of the most racist people she has ever met! I don't care how racist him or anyone else is....that's their problem, I just don't want to hear all those derogatory racial slurs when I am working! Thanks again, and I will write again after I go back to work and let ya'll know what happens! Do you think I should pack my pistol in my bag just in case? LOL!!!!!:chuckle:chuckle
I have told them on numerous occasions that I am extremely offended by their comments, yet the behavior continues. Last night one of my co-workers was talking about Obama, and he said "I wouldn't care if we had a mixed race president, I just wish he wasn't half ******!" I was infuriated and I told him so!!!!!!! :argue::argue: The jerk then tried to apologize to me for making that comment. I told him I didn't accept his apology, because he continues to make these same statements over and over! Unfortunately, he is not the only one that does this, there are several others guilty of doing the same thing! I have told my supervisor on numerous occasions, and she has talked to the staff several times yet it continues on an almost nightly basis! The supervisor brought in administration and they supposedly "counseled" them, yet this still continues!
Please tell me how to handle this! I am almost ready to quit my job, because I think one night I am really just gonna lose it and end up getting fired for killing one of them!!!!!!!!!
iwanna
470 Posts
It's a shame the in this day & age racism still exists. I have a bi-racial grandbaby. I was devastated when my single daughter told me that she was pregnant to her AA BF. I was not devastated because I am racist, but because her family members are. I knew that she would have to deal with the terrible comments. Her paternal grandmother is about the biggest racist that I know. And, my daughter's bilogical father has nothing to do with her. He has never asked about my grandbaby. Oh well, his loss.
It hurts that she will always have to deal with comments about having bi-racial child. But, she stands her ground, and I am proud of her.
Mytoon, I believe with OP that you need to take this to the next level.