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Chat with other users about all things related to working life on our Work forum.

Work

Formal Complaint of Racism- Help!

646 replies

OhBollocksFuck · 26/10/2016 11:14

I've NC as this is quite outing.

I work in the back office (10 people, all women, desk work) doing logistics for delivery drivers (27 people, mostly men, out and about all day).

We've had a bloke called Steve (not his real name) working as a delivery driver for years. Steve is black. Then another Steve came. So the original Steve became known as 'black Steve', which he's completely fine with, and new Steve became 'white Steve' which he's also fine with. We also have 'Short Trev' and 'Tall Trev' for two blokes called Trev. They're descriptions just to differentiate.

A new woman has started in the back office with us and asked me the other day what to do with an order which needed express sending. I told her to give it to 'black Steve' for various reasons. She's seemed quite nice, a little bit up-tight perhaps but that's usual when starting a new place.

Fast-forward to today and my manager has called me in the office to let me know that this new woman has put in a complaint about me using racist language. He's arranged a formal meeting with me and her for next Friday to talk through the complaint and see 'where we go' (his words). I'm in a union so I've got a union representative coming with me but I'm completely flawed by it.

I don't know what to do. I'm trying to remain calm and professional with this woman but I'm angry and upset. I don't want to mention anything to black Steve but, at the same time, it feels odd that there's all this going on with him being at the centre but him not really knowing. I also know that if I did mention it some of the drivers would take issue with her and I don't want them to get themselves into any trouble either.

I don't know what I'm asking really TBH. just some words of wisdom and advice from MNers would be breat!

OP posts:

Report

0dfod · 26/10/2016 12:45

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

FV45 · 26/10/2016 12:47

Racism is a having prejudice based on characteristics of that race. Prejudice doesn't have to be negative (but that's by the by).

In what way is the OP being racist by using the colour of Steve's skin to differentiate him from someone else?

Blu · 26/10/2016 12:48

Maraschino - I don't think anyone here sees the word black as racist, or offensive or a bad thing, per se.

But whether we like it or not, there are standards of behaviour in the workplace, informed by Equalities legislation , that do not include routinely nicknaming people by a word that describes a protected characteristic.

The OP is now caught up in that framework.

OliviaStabler · 26/10/2016 12:51

Has your boss ever used that name?

SavoyCabbage · 26/10/2016 12:54

Would you have said 'give it to black Steve' if she, the new starter, was black. Or would you have found that awkward?

CrazyDuchess · 26/10/2016 12:55

No one is saying just mentioning someone's colour is racist. But it wasn't a casual remark, it's a nickname to differentiate him from another Steve.

Like other posters said if they wanted to differentiate they could have said his surname? But to use his skin colour is at best misguided but at worst could be used against him.

And obviously what blue said about the equality framework

CrazyDuchess · 26/10/2016 12:57

I'd be curious at to Flowerys (sorry I am not sure of the username) take on this is as I have always admired her advice on this forum.

Taking away from all the personal feeling, what is the actual law on this?

OP does your work place have a policy on discrimination or work place etiquette?

Ginmakesitallok · 26/10/2016 13:04

I can't believe the majority of folk are saying you are being racist! USING someone's race to differentiate them from someone else isn't racist! Equality isn't about pretending differences don't exist, it's about not treating people unequally because of those differences. Black Steve is black. That's not making a judgement - it's stating a fact.

CrazyDuchess · 26/10/2016 13:10

It wasn't a casual off the cuff remark to describe someone.

It was being used as a nickname..... I don't think op was being intentionally racist, but I can't imagine how anyone could think it was an appropriate way to talk about a fellow collegue - as others have mentioned you wouldn't go round and saying "Gay Steve" or other such thing.... surely it makes you cringe even a little bit?

FlouncingIntoAutumn · 26/10/2016 13:18

In your boots OP I would start keeping a little log book of just how prevalent this terms use is, name, date time, context.

I would double check with your boss that this is formal and on record, if you have the sort of relationship that you can casually mention the prevalence of use and your being singled out and potential for a reciprocal grievance.

Particularly keep record of senior colleagues using the term.

Come up with an alternative name for Steve imediately that isn't race based i.e. original Steve.

Write a letter of appology to Steve and explain that it has been raised that the term is inappropriate to use, your use in particular has been singled out, so you appologise if offense has been caused and will cease use if the term immediately.

Consider registering a complaint of bullying against new colleague. If this is common place use, company wide and you've been the only one to be singled out then it is bullying.

OhBollocksFuck · 26/10/2016 13:18

There isn't a discrimination policy in place. There's no HR. There's one woman who does HR type of stuff.

We do have a 'Gay Andy' who's a driver actually.

OP posts:

OhBollocksFuck · 26/10/2016 13:20

Flouncing Thanks, that's great advice. I suspect the union will advise something similar but still waiting for them to call me back.

OP posts:

FlouncingIntoAutumn · 26/10/2016 13:20

Stop calling Andy gay - its a protected characteristic and not an appropriate descriptive term.

CrazyDuchess · 26/10/2016 13:20

I agree with what flouncing says and agree you need to find out why you are being singled out if the term is being used overtly.

2014newme · 26/10/2016 13:23

Well done to the new lady who complained about the inappropriate behaviour.
Likely outcome is that you are all reminded about appropriateness in the workplace. Calling people by their skin colour or sexuality is inappropriate and discrimatory. You all need to stop.
I don't think any action will be taken against you personally as you all do it. But anyone continuing to do it after its been made clear that it is unacceptable would be disciplined. I work in hr that's what I would do, have had similar cases.

Ginmakesitallok · 26/10/2016 13:24

Calling someone "gay Andy" or "disabled Andy" is different though as they are not physical characteristics. If the 2 ANDY'S were standing beside each other you couldn't point out gay Andy.

2014newme · 26/10/2016 13:25

Don't complain about new colleague. You maybe the only person she has heard use the phrase. It wasn't her decision to only speak to you about it and not the others.

CrazyDuchess · 26/10/2016 13:25

Some disabilities are physical?

Flumplet · 26/10/2016 13:25

Eesh dodgy ground or what. Whilst I get your point that black Steve is a descriptor - it's factual and not insulting to be called black if you are black, it shouldn't be used in that context. She's got good grounds on this I'm afraid. As per a previous poster, I would have used 'new Steve' as new steve's descriptor, or heaven forbid what's wrong with using their last names?!!

CrazyDuchess · 26/10/2016 13:26

And we are talking about protected characteristics - of which race, sexuality and disability come under

lougle · 26/10/2016 13:29

'Gay' is a protected characteristic under the Equality Act 2010, so you could find yourself in as much trouble for referring to someone as 'Gay Andy' as 'Black Steve', 'Muslim Mike', 'Pregnant Paula' or any other reference to someone because of some characteristic of them rather than who they are.

MovingOnUpMovingOnOut · 26/10/2016 13:30

It seems that there is a rather backward culture in your workplace and I'm not sure I want to unpick all that because it is complicated by other factors and the fact that "Black Steve" has initiated his own nickname. However, the issue appears to be cultural rather than your issue op so I am baffled as to why your manager, who overly colludes in this behaviour, is treating it at a grievance between two colleagues??

2014newme · 26/10/2016 13:31

Stephen and Steve.
Steve Jones and Steve bloggs .
Steve j and Steve b.
Steve the driver and Steve from the depot.
Many other workplaces have employees with the same names and they don't resort to racism to distinguish between them.
If you can't see its wrong you need your head read.

TulipsInAJug · 26/10/2016 13:35

It's not racist. Black is not a racist term, or descriptor.

Can't believe some of these comments.

CrazyDuchess · 26/10/2016 13:37

No tulips black is not a racist word.... it the context in which it is used.

Flip

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