Racist colleague

[MarisPiperPeas]

This is very vague, and I'm keeping it that way as do not want to be identified. The comments made were quite specific.

If you found out a colleague had made a number of racist comments at a work event (one which you were not present at), towards people who were of your ethnic origin amongst others, would you be unreasonable to put in a complaint or to confront them?

It's stuff I've heard through the grapevine but I'm now very uncomfortable around this person. They are a grade above me and I don't like that they could me making decisions about me and my work.

WIBU to bring this up in some way shape or form?

YWBU.

If there is a colleague who witnessed this racism, and that colleague is prepared to confirm this then you could report to your HR - but you need witness evidence really I think before making a formal report

Unless you witnessed it personally I don't think you can make a complaint.

You would definitely not be unreasonable (I think the poster above me meant this too and their post is a typo. Go to the racist person’s boss, explain what you heard and ask for an investigation. This kind of thing shouldn’t and doesn’t fly anymore.

The people they supposedly made the comments to should report it. Not you...you weren't even there after all. For all you know they said nothing.

Yes you would be really unreasonable and incredibly unprofessional to put in a complain or confront someone based on a bit of gossip.

Have any of these people who were supposedly commented directly at, made a complaint?

What sort of comments were they op?

The person who was actually present when the racist remarks were made should report it.

If you do it, it’s just hearsay.

There may have been a complaint made already, I have no idea. I don't think my whole office is lying about it however. I'm just concerned that I am being managed by someone who is racist and I guess wanted some sort of clarification in my head around this. It's really hard being managed by someone who you now don't know if you can trust to not discriminate against you or not because of your race.

@DayManChampionOfTheSun I don't want to be too obvious, however said manager was implying that people who were black, Asian and non white should not 'recreate' with other races and they would be happy to not have to associate with them ever again. There was a fair bit more but don't want to go too far in to what was said exactly.

So your whole office witnessed it, told you about it, but no one can enlighten you as to whether a complaint had been made?

Fair enough, thank you.

Personally I think if the whole office is talking about it, I think you could raise a concern with HR. If it was one person who mentioned it once, then that is gossip and they should report. If this is prime conversation in the work place, then even the discussing of it and people saying the comments over and over again are being quite disrespectful. I would raise it

@TheOneWith I am fairly sure that a complaint hasn't been made as a few people have said 'it's a good job nobody from department A heard and it was just us' - someone may have privately made a complaint but it's not really for me to ask. Just as if I made a complaint I would keep that to myself and wouldn't be broadcasting it.

I've learnt a lesson in life never to get involved in things I wasn't present at, or heard directly. I'm sure some will say that this is burying my head in the sand and compounding the problem, but if you're not present when an alleged incident has occurred, your complaint may well not be taken seriously, and it would be hard to substantiate. If the 'whole office' was present, then one of them should make the complaint, and perhaps it would be useful to know why a complaint hasn't been made, if that's the case?

On the other hand, I understand your unease and concern (so therefore YANBU) as it's a disgusting comment (if that is what was said), but you would be unreasonable to make a complaint if you were not there IMO.

@MissusGeneHunt you honestly just described exactly why I feel uneasy about potentially putting in a complaint. I wasn't there. I'm not out to get anyone sacked or in trouble. I'm just now extremely cautious of the fact that if what was said was true, my manager thinks I'm basically a piece of dirt.

@MarisPiperPeas - It must feel horrible, and I do sympathise, having been in a similar situation a while back (not racism, but something that very much hit home). Is there any chance you could speak to a close / trusted colleague about it and ask them what's going on - one who was there, obviously! I wonder as well whether it's worth some advice from HR?

i personally wouldn't, you weren't there to hear it yourself, but maybe you can encourage someone who was there to speak up.

While I understand your discomfort, you weren't there and have no evidence as to the credibility of the story. The 'grapevine' is on a par with 'The man in the pub' as far as reliability goes.

If anyone present felt there was justification for complaint then it is they who need to take it forward.

I'd be more upset at the people there that didn't say anything. Unfortunately there are people in this world that hold these views and there is nothing we can do about it but we can try to change things by speaking up when we hear this sort of thing do people are told their views are unacceptable.

I have a couple of staff members under investigation for similar. One of which I am not surprised at. I'm more disappointed that another staff member is claiming not to have heard it and one that did and reported is seen as the bad guy. Horrible situation for them.

@MagentaRocks it's awful, and I know that people like this will always exist. I'm just saddened now as I feel I have to move departments. I don't want to be discriminated against and I don't think I can work for someone like that.

MarisPiperPeas
you can definitely make a complaint that states the facts, which are what was said and who said it.

Either this happened or there is some shit stirring going on; either way the company has a problem and should deal with it.

@UpstartCrow I just don't know what to believe anymore and feel uncomfortable even coming to work in the morning. It's awful.

If anyone who witnessed it isn’t willing to go with you to put in a formal complaint I don’t think you can. You could however email HR BCCing your home email and mention what’s been said by everyone else in your office about the conference and that it now makes you feel very uncomfortable working with this person and makes you question whether you are being/will be treated fairly. And then ask HR what they can do about it. I’ve said to do it in writing as if you were then bullied, harassed or sacked because of speaking out you would have proof that could be used in court x
Do not let them get away with it. I used to work in a place where casual racism was rife. I’m white but my husband is Asian and my children are mixed race, but the bigots thought it was ok to say things in front of me as I’m white and am ‘one of them’. I’m ashamed to say I didn’t do anything about it and just left the company. I wish I’d had the guts to stand up to them tbh.

From HR's point of view.

It's hearsay, not evidence.
The person who told you could be making it up to stir. (Not suggesting that but some people do this sort of thing deliberately to cause trouble)

You weren't there, you don't know for sure what was said.

All you know is what you've been told.

You can put a complaint in about the general comments coming back after that event and how uncomfortable you feel that your manager made these comments or your colleagues are saying he did and they need to investigate as you are unsure whether it is your manager or colleagues who are racist.