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I know many of you are non Asians but I would like to know what you think. My two managers were talking and I was there. One manager mentioned Jackie Chan because one of the dogs in the neigborhood is named that. I do not have a problem with that. But the other manager said in a comedy TV show that he saw, this family went to China and all Asians look all alike. The family thought they were seeing Jackie Chan everywhere. I seen that TV show with him and from my memory, it was not like how he described it. One aspect of racism is a remark that a certain race look all the same. As an Asian person I found this insulting. He actually did it in front of me. Also, the manager who made the racist remark gave me a lot of criticsm about my job performance two weeks ago. I am planning to leave my job because of this. Will this be considered a hostile work environment? I know many of you who are reading this are racist themselves but would like to know your opinion. I have an open mind.
I think your first steps should be into your HR office. I don't know your job and/or financial situation but leaving a job without having something else lined up should only be done if there are no other suitable options.
Sadly, HR plays a big role in protecting the company from lawsuits (as opposed to managing human resources). In most cases, they will take your complaint very seriously and handle it appropriately. If the HR department isn't playing along, you can approach your state's labor department.
It might not hurt to look outside for opportunities anyways.
Have you considered telling the person that this type of comment makes you uncomfortable.
They won't know if you don't tell them.
Yes, people are that clueless.
My anecdote is that I play cards with a group of people.
Our makeup is diverse: white, black and hispanic guys and a white woman (me).
The white guy has made several remarks about the hispanic guy being undocumented - we looked at him incredulously. He didn't get it.
I had to take him aside and tell him how inappropriate it was to talk that way.
He didn't understand why; I had to explain it to him slowly and in small words.
Have you considered telling the person that this type of comment makes you uncomfortable.
They won't know if you don't tell them.
Yes, people are that clueless.
My anecdote is that I play cards with a group of people.
Our makeup is diverse: white, black and hispanic guys and a white woman (me).
The white guy has made several remarks about the hispanic guy being undocumented - we looked at him incredulously. He didn't get it.
I had to take him aside and tell him how inappropriate it was to talk that way.
He didn't understand why; I had to explain it to him slowly and in small words.
Yes, I did confront my manager about 15 minutes after that remark. At that point, I did not care if I was going to get fired or not because I was that upset. He said well blame it on the comedy TV show, The Family Guy and not me. That was the comedy show he was talking about. The thing is that from my memory from watching that show with him, it was not like how he described it.
But what really upset me is that how he described Asian people when he was talking to the other manager. He, said, you know how Asians look all alike.
I don't see how all Asians look alike is racist; some people may feel that way, how is that insulting. Some Asians say all Westerners look alike. It's an observation; what they feel, not a remark of contempt.
I know many of you are non Asians but I would like to know what you think. My two managers were talking and I was there. One manager mentioned Jackie Chan because one of the dogs in the neigborhood is named that. I do not have a problem with that. But the other manager said in a comedy TV show that he saw, this family went to China and all Asians look all alike. The family thought they were seeing Jackie Chan everywhere. I seen that TV show with him and from my memory, it was not like how he described it. One aspect of racism is a remark that a certain race look all the same. As an Asian person I found this insulting. He actually did it in front of me. Also, the manager who made the racist remark gave me a lot of criticsm about my job performance two weeks ago. I am planning to leave my job because of this. Will this be considered a hostile work environment? I know many of you who are reading this are racist themselves but would like to know your opinion. I have an open mind.
Don't be so sensitive.
No racist statements were made, IMO.
It sounds like sour grapes because of your poor job review.
I especially like your remark that "I know many of you who are reading this are racist themselves".
Was he voicing his own opinion or describing the Family Guy show?
In either case, I don't think what he said was racist - insensitive and somewhat ignorant, perhaps. And especially in the presence of an Asian person at work, unprofessional. But I'm not getting "racist" as much as a dumb generalization. But hey, maybe he really does think that way and was voicing his opinion. Not that it's any less professional, mind you. He should not have said it.
I wouldn't consider this a hostile work environment if that's the strongest evidence you have, though...but it's not my call to make.
Yes, I did confront my manager about 15 minutes after that remark. At that point, I did not care if I was going to get fired or not because I was that upset. He said well blame it on the comedy TV show, The Family Guy and not me. That was the comedy show he was talking about. The thing is that from my memory from watching that show with him, it was not like how he described it.
But what really upset me is that how he described Asian people when he was talking to the other manager. He, said, you know how Asians look all alike.
I would suggest that should it happen again, you go to your Human Resources office. I would also document should this occur again. In fact, write a memo for record of the first incident and take it home with you. Do not leave it in the office.
He's been informed that this makes you uncomfortable; it is most certainly unprofessional.
The ball is in his court.
You do not need to take garbage from people because it's a hard market.
I would ignore the comments that say you should be grateful to have a job and that abuse is part of working. It's most certainly not part of a healthy work environment and there are laws concerning it.
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