Q&A for How to Tactfully Handle a Racist Boss

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If my boss is being racist and sexist, but HR won't do anything, what can be done?

Community Answer

Go to the ombudsman, Citizen's Advice Bureau, a lawyer, an employment tribunal, or an outside complaints committee, but no matter what, persevere until you are heard.

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If I called him a racist to his face, what can he do?

Community Answer

He could find some phony reason to fire you if he was angry enough about it.

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Question

Can it be considered racial discrimination if my supervisor makes jokes and comments about me in another language during work?

Community Answer

No, if it is not racially-motivated. It might just be rude and a lack of supervisory skills.

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How do I deal with a boss that supports bad behavior from my subordinates just because I'm black?

Community Answer

Contact EEOC and explore filing a claim. You could also directly talk with your boss in a tactful manner. Lastly, you could look for another job.

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What if everybody on my job acts racist and protects each other in doing so?

Community Answer

HR should get involved and offer some type of sensitivity training before someone who is the brunt of the racism files with EEOC or with a lawsuit. It's never a good thing to protect racism in any work environment.

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Question

What can a person who feels they are being discriminated against do?

Community Answer

Contact the supervisor of your boss, and inform him/her of what's going on. If your company has Human Resources, try there first.

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If I tried to talk to someone at the office, but no one will talk to me, what can I do?

Community Answer

You could email the person, or wait because they could have been busy at that moment in time. You could wait another day to try to talk to them and see if that makes a difference. However, if there is a united front to ostracize you, it's time to see an employment lawyer.

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Question

How do I tactfully handle my racist boss' remarks if I have recorded them?

Community Answer

Bring it to HR or your boss' supervisor. Be advised that if they don't get fired, they may retaliate against you in the form of bad performance reviews, etc. But if they're creating a hostile work environment already, it's probably worth bringing it up.

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Question

I work for a small family-owned business, and the owner and other employees engage in racist bigoted conversation constantly. What are my options as a white male?

Community Answer

You can contact the EEOC and discuss the issue. Racism should not be accepted, no matter who owns the business. If you haven't already, though, it might be as simple as asking them not to have these kinds of conversations in your presence (or in the workplace at all).

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How do I keep track of the hours I've worked when I haven't been paid by my boss?

Community Answer

Some companies give you a personal time card that gets punched with the hour and date, by the time punch clock when you come into work and when you get out of work you put the card in the slot of the clock machine and it stamps the hour and date you left. If not, write down on an assignment pad, the time that you came into work and have a supervisor or boss initial it as a witness (ignore the complaining - you have to keep them honest). Then have them initial the hour you wrote down as you leave work for the day. Their initials on your time page turns those hours into a legal document. So if they don't pay you, you can use it as evidence.

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