Discrimination at work – how to deal with it?
Is This Racial Discrimination?
Question: I’m working at a data entry department at a studio right now. I’m working there in contract for the money. I have a diploma in Media Arts (which has filmmaking and writing components to it). I have a 3.5 GPA when I graduated. English is not my first language, although I can honestly say, I am above average when it comes to grammar, spelling, and composition. I did some creative writing and I have an essay published.
Anyway, I spoke to my boss about a possible writing position and here’s what she told me:
1) “You don’t have a university degree” (which wasn’t required by the way)
2) “We’re doing data entry.”
3) “Not to judge your abilities but English is not your first language and you can either be really good in English or really bad in English” — and since she already shot me down with the job (refer to #4) this implied that English not being my first language can be a hindrance to the getting the job.
4) “No I don’t think it’s fitting for you.”
and something she did that’s not racist but VERY unprofessional:
5) She told my coworkers that I’m interested in the position right in front of me and other people.
I’m very upset and I’m told by everyone I know that this is grounds for complaint. She is a nice person, but also very condescending and neurotic in a passive-aggressive way. I spoke to her superior about the job and I said, “Yeah, I’m talking to you because I got shot down when I asked her.” But that’s it, she didn’t ask any further questions…
I don’t know what to do. I don’t want to ruin my chances of getting the job but…???
I’m not planning on taking any legal action whatsoever. I am telling her superior though.
But my question is, do you think I’d ruin chances of getting the job?
The job is for another department by the way, not theirs, not hers. My boss, was just very rude and condescending. I mean I might lose chances of getting the job, but my dignity is a little more important than acquiring employment. lol
I could always look for work somewhere else =), although it would suck not to get the job I’m rooting for.
Answer: So I’m reading along and thinking your boss is insensitive and there’s nothing you can do about it. Then when you said “The job is for another deparment…not theirs, not hers.” So WTF are you asking HER for?????
DO NOT REPORT HER! You sucked her into something you shouldn’t have. She was the wrong person to be talking to.
Go to the other department and find out about the job. What are the credentials required? APPLY FOR THE JOB. Take some of your writings with you to the interview. You’ve got a Media Arts degree so tell them you’d like a job in that field and data entry is simply not using your creative skill for the field you trained in.
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2 Responses to Discrimination at work – how to deal with it?
It’s important to know how job discrimination is defined legally. If you are discriminated against because of race, creed, age or sex then you have a case if you can prove it. Otherwise is not considered to be a case of discrimination. An employer has the right to refuse a promotion on any grounds other than the above. Unfortunately you have an insensitive supervisor who needs to learn how to deal positively with people. Also, she should know better than to be a blabber. Her job requires tact and knowing when to keep her mouth shut. She should not be discussing conversations with you with your co-workers. I would go back to her supervisor and tell him/her that you believe that her telling your co-workers about your conversation is inappropriate & you believe it is a breach of trust which should be addressed. Do not insist.
There is no guarantee that another job will be any better. Consider that you may be jumping from the frying pan into the fire. Make the best of your job if you otherwise like it; it’s darn hard nowadays to find employment which pays as much as what you may be making.
What you should do is start looking elsewhere for a job as a writer if that’s what you want to do for a living. You say you ‘don’t want to ruin your chances of getting the job’ but it doesn’t sound like you’re going to get it anyway.
Discrimination cases are very hard to prove in general, and the scenario you outlined seems shaky at best, so I wouldn’t even dream of starting legal proceedings.
By the way, I don’t know where you live, but I live in a right-to-work state. That means that I can quit my job for any reason whenever I want to. That also means that my employer can fire me for any reason, or no reason, whenever they want to. If you don’t like your boss, and it sounds like you have every reason not to, start sending out writing samples!