Sep 28, 2020
Shocking: A Racist Boss’
Damaging Effect On Employees
Do you like working with people who have an interesting point of view?
Do you enjoy learning about other cultures?
Do you like learning from others?
Ya you do!
Working with people of different nationalities, cultures and backgrounds makes the workplace more interesting.
There’s truth in the saying that says: “Diversity is the spice of life.”
But even with all of the proven benefits of encouraging diversity in the workplace many bosses still cling to old outdated thinking where they discriminate against people for numerous different reasons.
It shocks me that this sort of behavior still happens in the workplace today — even in the midst of various world-wide demonstrations demanding equality.
Uncomfortable as it may be, we’re gonna look straight at this ugly beast in a number of its different forms in this article.
Remember to check back frequently as new articles will be published between now and the end of the month.
And there is a master list of all of the articles here.
Oh and for your pleasure — I’m having a psychologist go through all the bad boss character traits and give her professional opinion as to what type of person you’re dealing with if your boss acts like this.
One more thing: because I want to help you break free from any sort of “bad boss situation” you may currently be stuck in, I’ll be doling out the details on how you might be able to manage with a boss who engages in discriminatory behavior. Of course…. there are other ways to be rid of a horrible boss like this for good. Once again… I’m getting ahead of myself.
Because this sort of boss discriminates against people, I’m calling him “The Racist Boss.” (That was an easy one.)
Let’s see this guy’s true colors.
“The Racist Boss” Revealed!
Perry’s been acting differently ever since he caught Sue on the phone with her mother. She doesn’t realize why, until one day when they’re going through applicant resumes.
“Kyung Lee,” her boss reads, butchering the name, and tosses the résumé into the trash.
“Wait,” says Sue. “You didn’t even read it.”
“There would be a language barrier,” Perry says. He speaks slowly, like he’s talking to a child; he’s done that ever since Sue’s phone call. “No one here speaks Chinese.”
“Did you call and try speaking to her?” Sue asks this so that she doesn’t explode. First of all, Kyung Lee is Korean. Sue should know; she’s half Korean, on her mother’s side-
“Oh. Is that what’s going on?”
The last name and physical characteristics that she inherited from her father would be enough to pass her off as white. She’d spoken with her mother in their native tongues, and Perry overheard.
After seeing what her boss just did, Sue can easily imagine an alternative universe where it’s her resume getting tossed into this company’s trash can.
Perry says he didn’t call. Sue decides not to press the subject; Kyung Lee, whoever they are, would probably be better off at a different workplace anyway.
“Besides,” Perry says, “that resume was a woman’s. I only hire women if I’m sure they won’t be having kids and going on maternity leave. Like you, you’re young.” Sue’s uncomfortable. She wonders what will happen in a few years.
“I didn’t know you were Chinese”, Perry says.
“I’m not,” Sue says shortly. “Korean.”
She really should say something sharper, but this is her first job, and under Perry’s narrowed eyes, anxieties are building in her stomach — what if she’s fired after one wrong move? A good portion of her paycheck is going to her ill mother. What if she can’t find a new job? If she does find a new job, would that really be any better, or are all bosses like Perry? At this point, she doesn’t know.
“Anyway, make sure people can understand you when you speak. I’ve noticed that you pronounce some words strangely,” Perry says, although this isn’t true as far as Sue knows, and it’s never been a complaint before.
Sue doesn’t have high hopes for a promotion at this place, but she thinks her odds have decreased even more since that phone call.
Kyung Lee definitely dodged a bullet.
Fallout From “The Racist Boss”
It’s pretty unfair and close-minded for a boss to treat an employee differently based on something that they can’t change.
And for our purposes here, “The Racist Boss” can show his mindset of discrimination in many different ways.
Whether this comes to the surface be it based on an employee’s gender, sexual preference, age, skin color, nationality, accent or something else.
When you’re dealing with “The Racist Boss” it creates a pretty hostile feeling workplace.
It’s easy to feel trapped as what the boss is discriminating against isn’t something that you have the ability to change and nor should you feel the need to change them in order to be accepted.
He if he overlooked you for a promotion based on your job performance alone that might be one thing.
But if he overlooked you for a promotion because you might have another child and go on maternity leave….
Or if he passed you over because of your skin color — that’s something else entirely.
Oftentimes “The Racist Boss” will do his best to hide his tracks by saying “I’m just joking”, but the fact that he voiced something like this reveals an underlying passive-aggressive nature that tips his hand to the fact that he engages in discriminatory behavior.
Steps to Deal With “The Racist Boss”
If you find yourself stuck in a situation like this with a “Racist Boss”, what can you do?
Well, it’s not easy, but here are a few tips that may help:
1) Take notes. Document what was said including the date and time of the event in a written format. From there you can either file a complaint with the HR department (if the company has one). In either case, you need to have written documentation to support your accusations.
2) Question him. Above all, you need to remain calm in the situation. In addressing it, you can ask him why he made the statement or ask him to explain the statement as you don’t understand it.
How much you force the issue in doing this will have to be an “in the moment” decision.
3) Ignore the remarks. Sometimes the remarks aren’t worth bothering with. You may have to pick your battles, but in no way shape or form should you feel like you have to “die inside” because of what someone else is doing or saying.
“The Racist Boss” is not an easy one to beat as the majority of the time, the behavior has been learned over the course of many years — reversing it might not be easy.
In fact, it might be impossible and something that you’re not able to do on your own.
And in cases like this, you may need to look for other work and remove yourself from the negative work environment.
Don’t forget: I’ve got more articles to come on this subject, so don’t forget to check back soon.
Between now and then, I wish you all the success in the world.
Your Minister of Capitalism,
Brett Davison
theministerofcapitalism.com
