Is my boss racist?!
 

Ok guys I really hate when people cry "racist" or attribute things to rampant racism, but I think in this case someone I work with has a point. The owner of the store I work for is as far as I can see quite discriminatory. He has a mandated 80% white 20% nonwhite hiring ratio (and raises Cain when he doesn't have it) and made our manager's life hell (and drove her to quit) after the ratio became closer to 65-35. He sends all of the African-American workers "to the back" to wash dishes and do other backroom type jobs. He maybe gives them one shift a week and has already fired 2 black girls who were hired the same time I was (roughly 2 months ago) for things that they definitely should not have been fired for. One of my coworkers (who is black) filed a complaint against the company and my boss gave her a raise basically to buy her silence. Unfortunately it worked, but I can't fault her for it because she desperately needs money. He does not speak to the non-white workers when he does come to the store (rarely).
I really feel like this is something that needs to be fixed/exposed, but I don't want to lose my job. What should I do about it??

do nothing. this is a part of life.

Hmmm good call. At least I know I wouldn't lose my job. But I'd still feel bad about it.

If it's happening exactly like you say, this is illegal. Call your state employment people. I'd also try to find a different job. Do you really want to work for someone like this?

Yes, it is part of life but that doesnt mean she should put up with it. Also, I think it's a cop out.

Swissmiss04, you could go to the press anonymously as long as you have proof.

im guessin swissmiss is white.

and if she's white...then who cares? as long as she is getting her money and the boss treats her good.

Also, if this business is part of a large chain (i.e Applebees, Chili's) most companies have an anonymous 1-800 number for employees to report things such as this, theft, or whatever. At my job its called the Compliance Line.

This could destroy the man's business, which would be wrong if he's innocent. Let the state do it. They'll look for the proof and take action. If he is guilty, then let the press fry him.

why should this man get owned in the press?

if its HIS business and im not sure if it is, he should be able to hire an all white team if he wanted too.

Contact the EEOC (Equal Employment Opportunity Commission). If what you say is true, this should not go uninvestigated. Your boss may be violating Title VII of the Civil Rights Act.

The phone number for more information is 1-800-669-4000.


Hope this helps.

I agree. He should be able to hire anyone he wants. But not set up a quota. In my opinon, quota's are always wrong... no matter who sets them up.

Greeklawgirl, I agree.

Imthachamp, You know what, you're right, he should hire who ever he wants since he owns the company. But, he should not have hired any Af-American people if he didnt want them there in the first place. That was stupid on his part.

Wow you guys are awesome. At first I really considered just copping out and saying "Tough isht" but then I realized that karma bites you in the ass like an angry dog. I am white and as far as I can tell everyone there likes me and I'm pretty secure. But I also haven't been "causing trouble." It sucks that I have to worry about keeping my job just because I'm doing the right thing. But I will check into my company's 1800 number just in case. Thanks for the info!

Good luck!

This has become a problem in so many ways, Racial Profiling, hiring a % of ect.

I am a small business owner with 2 people one being me!

If the Federal Govt came in and told me I had to hire someone I did not want, I would tell them to piss up a rope!:mad:

When I had a Liquor Store, I had 6 employees, 3 Whites and 3 Blacks, not counting myself.

I did not hire them for the Color %, I hired them for the Type of People that they are!

I have people come in all of the time and ask if I am hiring!

"I want to tell them, If you get a hair cut, shave that cheezy crap off of your face, and dress decent, maybe you could find a job! Oh being able to talk if a good point also!

As a small business man, you have to be able to trust the people who are working for you!:) Hopefully they will not steal your ass blind! Margins are slim and a little bit hurts when stolen:(


Edited to add, if this isa National Chain, that is Incorporated, and they pull Crap like this then they are and can be in a world of S**T!

But, if a person is hired for a specic job, that is different!

EEOC, would be the Place to start, but you better be able to dead bang prove it!:)

how big of a business is it, is it a franchise? it sounds like it's bigger.

if it's a small business (like Tom's), then they're not necessarily affected by a lot of Title VII and the EEOC regulations.... but that doesn't mean the person wouldn't have a different cause of action.

But no matter what action were to be taken, the person being discriminated against would have to partake. If they don't want to do anything, then there's not really a legal leg to stand on. Doesn't mean that company policy would work that way though..... if it's a corporation with a hierarchy,his butt would get canned quickly

cosigning....I JUST got home from an all day Employment Law seminar so I am bubbling over with this stuff! ((and itching from being with lawyers all day)) just kidding!! :p

kddani is correct, up to a certain extent. Title VII only applies to employers that have 15 or more employees.

However, an individual, organization or agency can file a EEOC violation charge on behalf of an aggrieved individual in order to protect the person's identity. The EEOC allows this to encourage people who would would otherwise be afraid of retaliation to step forward and blow the whistle.

BTW, here's a good link about employment discrimination: http://www.eeoc.gov/facts/qanda.html

Just another .02 :)

Edited to add link

damn it, i hate applying crap i learned in class to real life :p

i'm actually thinking of getting into employment law... but who knows. I have a class in it right now, and our appellate brief last year was on national origin discrimination.... so i'm thinking about this little fact pattern way too much for my own good at the moment!

I hate to say it, but if this was LA and it was 1992, your boss' isht would get burnt to the ground...

The man has a right to hire who he wants. However, quota-ing it does not work.

It sounds like your boss has poor business skills. If he is making profit, then the only color he ought to be concerned with is $$$green$$$...

Other folks suggestions to just examine EEOC regulations on the web is one direction you could take if you are concerned.

Another direction is NAACP Legal Defense if it gets really bad at work...

My question is: why do you care to begin with?

yay the riots.

that was black power at it's finest.

http://www.liu.edu/cwis/cwp/library/...0/1992_00b.jpg

I don't understand something. Why does he hire black people? I'm confused about that part.

-Rudey
--I would care about the green and also the babies of the world. You can't forget about the children you know?

what's going on in here?
 

sure the man has the right to hire whomever he wants as long as credible facts. To deny or discriminate against someone (ESPECIALLY against those for whom it's been happening for a few centuries) based on race denies equal opportunity for everyone.

Well, it is a franchise and he has at least 20 employees, if not more. I guess my basic concern is getting something done about it (maybe if he just got reprimanded or something) without losing my job. Honestly, since he's not in the store too often and I like everyone else, I don't want to quit. However, if I don't start seeing an improvement within, say, a month, then I would definitely consider an alternative job. What was the NAACP thing you were talking about Monet? Do you have a number or website handy?

Since it is a franchise there should definitely be an 1-800 number to anonymously report things like this.

I would do a web search on both your company to find out what the number is (in case you don't want anyone at work to see you looking for the number).

I believe the NAACP's web address is www.naacp.org

Swissmiss, in addition to all the info folks have given you, you should also know that there are policies against retaliation (i.e. if your boss decides to fire you b/c you reported him to EEOC).

Champ, most of the people in your pics look Mexi. Hmm.

LOL...
 

You should see the assistant manager (aka ass man) at my work...if a woman drops off a resume he's like, "let me file that - "buzzzz" straight to the shredder.

In unrelated news, we have a new front desk guy named rob conklin.

i only see two mexicans.

btw we didnt start it, we just joined later.

also im 1/2, so i can only claim one of those guys.

Well I didn't have to worry about doing something after all....check this out:
http://www.tuscaloosanews.com/apps/p...66/1007/NEWS02

Swissmiss,
Interesting turn of events.....

Be prepared to testify/give a statement if it comes down to that.

wow, I am really surprised by some people who post on GC..

Anyways, swissmiss, you really shouldnt be working that kind of environment. If you feel like there is an injustice going on..say something...write to the press about this..expose it..cuz this is the new millenium and this ish should not be going down at all..and no one should be allowed to get away with it..but get yourself another job cuz you deserve better.