Practical advice reqd on stopping racism in the workplace...

nemo183

Just a quick note to ask if anyone has any links (or even ideas?) on how best to combat racism at work?

I'm not talking about dealing with hard-core racists, but a more subtle approach to the new employee who tells too many racist jokes, and makes a few too many negative comments concerning racial stereotypes.

I'm also talking about a mainly "white" organisation that deals mainly with racial minorities, and a co-worker to co-worker situation.

Any ideas for "one-liners" that will put it a stop to this - either sarcastic/ironic/factual/amusing - that make it clear the behaviour is not acceptable, without isolating the person trying to stop it?

Or maybe a more robust is always needed?

Fran

Isn't there an anti-racism policy at work?

purplepurple

Have a look at The Commision for Racial Equality web site.... might be able to point you in the right direction?

nemo183

The problem is, almost all companies have policies and procedures to cover this kind of thing, but what I'm struggling with are practical ways of dealing with the problem by nipping it in the bud, without the need for invoking the considerable misery that these company policies entail.

Having given further thought to the problem, and discussed it with several people, I've now come up with a simple plan. Basically, it consists of a short phrase to suit the circumstances, in which I say I personally don't agree with the racist statement, and then changing the subject - i.e. not making a big deal out of it, making it clear I don't agree, and moving on.

You would have thought the CRE would have been best placed to help me. I telephoned them for advice, and they were of no help whatever. Basically, their position is to only offer advice on the law as it stands. Whilst I understand to some extent the logic behind this, from a practical grassroots level this is useless. Indeed, having spend some time on their website, their whole focus would seem to be on national issues, global policies, etc,etc.

It just seems to me that a good place to stop racism in it's tracks is where it starts - by standing up to it, and refusing to accept it either by saying nothing, and smiling, or even ignoring it.

Js_Other_Half

I remember encountering this sort of thing years ago when I first moved to England (am originally from NI).

Someone once said 'that's very Irish' about something stupid, and I just said 'excuse me'? I don't understand what you mean?' She was very embarrassed, and told me I was being too sensitive...:p She never did it again though.

One of my work colleagues parents came from the Carribbean in the 50s, and her Mum especially used to get some comments (working in the NHS as a domestic) Her reply was ' if you lot weren't so lazy, we wouldn't have been invited here'...

It's a shame that there will always be some people who feel it is appropriate to comment on race and ethnicity.

fsdss

i would just say directly, without replying with one liners, that you dont appreciate this racist attitude and that you find it offensive, at the end of the day they need to know the boundaries and think about what they are saying. then i would carry on as normal.

sometimes the more direct approach is better received i believe and in this instance, warrants this approach