Racism in the workplace is a drain on company resources. This is illegal and unacceptable, but is common. If your work environment has a racist boss, you may be afraid to talk about it. You'll be better able to deal with this racist boss if you can handle his racist remarks. Knowing the choices that the law allows you to make also helps you take additional steps.
Step
Method 1 of 4: Dealing with Racist Speech
Step 1. Stay calm
Disappointed by the boss's racist words or behavior will usually make things worse. If you are the target of his racist behavior, you will feel like retaliating. If you are not a direct target, you will naturally have a desire to defend whoever is being targeted. However, if you want to find a way out of dealing with this situation wisely, you need to calm down first.
- Take a deep breath, and count to 10 before saying anything.
- If you feel you can't calm down, ask permission for some reason and stay away from your boss if possible.
Step 2. Decide to ignore the comments
If this is the first time you've heard your boss make a racist comment, it's easiest to ignore it. Change the topic to get back to work. For example, in order to follow up on an offending remark, just stare at your boss's face blankly for a few seconds, then return the subject to work.
- It's possible that he understands and gets the impression that his humor or comments are not appreciated without you having to say anything.
- Try to remember that it is not your responsibility to educate people in the workplace about racism. Your main goal is to get your boss to stop saying racist things around you.
Step 3. Reprimand him wisely
If your boss insists on saying racist things around you, you may need to be more open about your disagreements. You can do it wisely, as long as you can calm down. When your boss says something offensive, look him in the face with a blank expression, and say something like, "Wow." Or even, “Wow, that sounds racist.”
- Do not continue your statement with an explanation of his racist remarks. Instead, immediately direct the conversation back to the topic of work.
- Make sure your intent is directed toward the words, not the person. Your boss will usually respond positively to being told that his remarks are racist rather than you saying, “Wow, it sounds like you are racist.”
Step 4. Question why the statement was said
Ask your boss, “Why did you say that (racist thing)?” would let him know that his statement was not true. However, this method may also show your own misunderstanding. If your boss rephrases his statement with additional, racist clarification, you'll have a better understanding of the situation.
- Asking your boss to explain why he made that statement also gives you time to summarize your thoughts and calm down.
- If there are other people present, you also have more eyewitnesses.
Step 5. Ask him to say the words again
Asking him to repeat his racist remark confirms the fact that he meant to say it, and embarrass him without you having to accuse him outright. Repeat this process as often as needed, to make it clear that you refuse to engage in racist talk.
- For example, after your boss says something racist, pretend you didn't hear him. Say, "Excuse me."
- If he repeats it, you can pretend you don't understand. "Sorry, I do not understand."
- Gradually he will understand that you want him to explain directly the meaning of his racist comment, or he should continue the ongoing conversation.
Step 6. Take note of the racist remark
Although this may be the first time you've heard your boss use a racist statement. You need to take notes. Write down exactly what it says, who is present, where it is, and the time and date. Be more specific.
- Written documentation is required if you decide to take your objections to a racist boss to your company's HR department or consult a lawyer.
- Make sure that you keep the note in a place where no one else can find it.
Step 7. Consider whether the comment is verbal abuse
Racist jokes and comments can create a hostile work environment if they occur frequently enough to affect employees. If these comments and jokes are hurtful enough to affect an employee's ability to do their job, this is an unlawful act of discrimination.
- Harassment is difficult to prove. The main considerations are whether or not the comments were well received, and whether there are further objections to the racist remarks or actions.
- Be aware that racist comments cause harassment, even if you may not belong to the race in question. As long as you can verify that the comments are unacceptable, and that they affect your ability to do your job, then the work environment can be interpreted as abusive.
Step 8. Don't sacrifice your health or self-confidence
Practice healthy compassion. When you leave work, prioritize activities that make you feel good about yourself. Finding activities that are meaningful and satisfying will help you to avoid being influenced by a racist boss.
- Talking with close friends, a counselor, or a spiritual mentor about your difficulties at work will also help you to relieve stress.
- If you exercise regularly, keep it up. Exercise can help relieve your tension and stress. If you don't have an exercise routine, think about starting one.
Method 2 of 4: Dealing with Racist Behavior
Step 1. Recognize racist behavior in the workplace
If your boss is a racist, you will notice that he treats people of different races unfairly. This action may be direct (such as refusing to hire someone because “he wouldn't be a good fit”) or indirect (such as forcing the employee to speak English as the boss's own mother tongue).
- Keep in mind that the work environment may also have justifiable reasons and is not at all racist in its hiring policies.
- Your work may be affected by racist acts directed directly or indirectly against you.
Step 2. Ask your boss about his behavior
If you see yourself or someone else being missed repeatedly from promotional opportunities, ask your boss what different things you could do. For example, ask, “I was surprised that I wasn't considered for the position, because I saw that the position matched my abilities and experience. I am interested to know what I need to do in order to grow in this company.”
- Don't ask in a confrontational manner, as doing so will make your boss defend himself.
- Keep in mind that it's possible your boss doesn't realize he's a racist. If you can make wise observations, he may notice what he is doing and will change his behavior.
Step 3. Give suggestions
Instead of accusing your boss of being racist, you can try offering suggestions for better management. For example, instead of saying, "If you don't consider that person working here, you mean a racist," you might consider saying, "I think we should try to manage more different employees."
- Words in the form of statements will be more appropriate, because they are firm and formal.
- Try to explain why you want to see change, to focus on making positive changes rather than blaming your boss for his actions.
Step 4. Recognize that certain actions are worse than others
Certain events can lead to immediate action. For example, physical threats based on race, bragging near the desk or workspace of a racially targeted employee, or using harsh words that lead to harassment based on a single incident.
- If this behavior occurs in your work environment, you should immediately report it to the authorities.
- Be sure to document this action. Write down everything exactly as it happened, including the time, date, location, and people who witnessed it.
Method 3 of 4: Knowing Your Legal Rights
Step 1. Get legal advice
If your boss's racist remarks start to affect your work performance, you need to find someone to talk to. Chances are, other people in your work environment have had the same experience with your boss. Ask them how they dealt with the racist behavior and what they did (if any).
- Make sure to do all this discreetly. It's good to meet after office hours over coffee together and talk about this.
- When your company becomes aware of this incident, it is legally obligated to carry out further investigations. If you are not prepared for a full investigation, you may have to delay before speaking to the HR department.
Step 2. Review the company's harassment policy
While this is not a legal requirement in many locations, most employers have policies regarding harassment in the workplace. This policy should provide a clear definition of prohibited actions and information on who to contact within the company if you have questions or complaints.
- It is in the company's primary interest to establish such a policy, because without it it will be more difficult to prove that employees know the difference between discriminatory and non-discriminatory behavior.
- Smaller companies may not have this policy in place, and may not have a clear indication of who to contact about this. In this case, you may be able to consult a lawyer.
Step 3. Understand the applicable legal requirements
Actions are unlawful if they are unacceptable and abusive and widespread. This means if you wisely make it clear that you don't care about the boss's racist remarks but the boss continues to do so, he or she is engaging in unlawful discriminatory behavior in the workplace. Some examples are:
- Verbal comments about a person's clothing, personal actions, or body shape; race-based jokes; dissemination of racist writings or emails to employees.
- Physical contact, including unwanted touching of a person's body, hair, or clothing.
- Nonverbal actions, including derogatory body language, and facial expressions with racist intent.
- Visual displays, including images, computer screens, posters, or visual displays that could be considered racist.
Step 4. Record the events
As stated earlier, noting racist incidents in the workplace will provide evidence of potential unlawful acts. Write down exactly what was said or done, including the witnesses. Also document the time, date, and location.
- You can ask other colleagues to record their reports that can support your documentation.
- Record as clearly and objectively as possible. For the effective use of this record, do not engage in ridicule, speculation, or be emotional.
- Keep these records at home or in your vehicle, not at work.
Step 5. Determine whether it is appropriate to report your boss
If you've tactfully informed your boss that his behavior was racist and that he doesn't appreciate it but continues to do so, it may be time to take a direct approach. If it's a job you really enjoy and you want to continue there, it might be worth trying to make changes that affect the racist environment in your work environment. If you don't want to continue to be in that work environment, you're better off looking for another job.
- When you report your boss's behavior to the company, the company must investigate your complaint.
- The company will keep your name confidential, however, it may not be difficult to pinpoint the source of the complaint. Be prepared that your boss knows about this complaint.
- While retaliation is also illegal, there is a chance that you may suffer as a result of your report to the boss.
Method 4 of 4: Reporting Racial Harassment
Step 1. Describe the unacceptable behavior
The first requirement to determine the occurrence of harassment in the work environment is behavior that is unacceptable to the victim. Make sure that you tell your boss that his behavior or words offended you.
- If everyone laughs at the racist joke, don't get involved. You need to avoid mistaking this racist behavior.
- This communication can occur verbally or in writing.
Step 2. Report harassment in your work environment
Depending on the structure of the company, you may report the behavior to your boss's supervisor, HR, or other higher-level company authority, in order to prevent harassment from occurring. You should report this harassment in writing, and be sure to keep a record of the complaint in a safe place.
- When your employer learns about this harassment, the company is legally obligated to formally follow up on your complaint.
- If there is a specific process required for making a complaint in your work environment, you should follow that process as directed.
Step 3. Keep your records of all cases of harassment
If you decide to file a formal complaint about your boss's racist comments or actions, it's very important that you keep a detailed record of any incidents that support your complaint. Keep these notes in a safe place, so that no one in your work environment can accidentally read them.
- On each incident, report exactly what was said or done, who was present, the time, date, and location of the incident.
- If possible, ask colleagues to take notes as well to strengthen your report.
Step 4. Report your boss to the government agency in charge of employment
This official body is the legal entity responsible for enforcing race and discrimination laws. Each region has its own process for reporting racial discrimination or acts. Such actions are illegal in many locations, but the mechanisms in place or the ways in which they are reported vary.
- Your location may have a state administrative agency. This state institution exists to cooperate with labor sector agencies.
- You must file a claim immediately after the incident of racial harassment, i.e. not to exceed the applicable time limit. This time limit varies by location, but it's generally important to know it as soon as you report the discrimination, to make your case more effective.
- You can also consult a lawyer, but this is not required. You have the right to proceed with your complaint against your boss without an attorney.
- The state commission may be able to resolve your complaint.
Step 5. File a lawsuit
If the state commission is unable to resolve your complaint, you can forward your complaint through the legal system. First of all, you should approach the employment agency to find a solution, before filing a lawsuit.
- Your legal process with the employment agency will be written on your receipt, which is either “Termination of Case and Notice of Rights” or “Notice of Right to Claim.”
- In the US, you have 90 days from the date above the receipt to take legal action. This time limit is called the “statute of limitations”. If you haven't filed your lawsuit in court by that date, you can continue your case.
- An attorney can help you navigate the legal system.
