Offended by proxy?

[Heather 8]

At my office, I share a workspace with a 40-something black woman named Robin. A couple days ago, she was taking a phone call from one of our adjusters who needed her to look up some information for him. She found the info quickly, and he remarked, "wow, you're a fast little monkey, aren't you?" She found the comment funny and just laughed hysterically.

One of our managers (another 40-something black woman) came over to find out what was so funny. Robin, still laughing, related the phone call to the manager, who never cracked a smile.

A half-hour later, Robin was called into the big boss' office. She came out afterwards very pissed off. Apparently, our manager went to the big boss and accused the adjuster of being racially insensitive to Robin, and demanded that he be fired.

Robin was NOT the least bit offended by the adjuster's comments, and she thinks that it's wrong for this guy to be punished for something that she personally does not view as a racial attack (as far as I know, this adjuster, who lives upstate, never met Robin, and probably doesn't have a clue about her race. Hell, I don't even know for sure if the adjuster is white). However, since our manager was offended "on Robin's behalf," the guy will be, at the very least, reprimanded and forced to go through sensitivity training.

I guess I'm looking for some opinions here. If you are not offended by a word or action, what right does someone else have to act as your "advocate?"

[A.J.]

If you are not offended by a word or action, what right does someone else have to act as your "advocate?"

A sense of entitlement perhaps?

http://outsidethewire.mensnewsdaily.com/wp-content/uploads/2007/05/jackson-sharpton.jpg

[topless_mike]

:furious:
this kind of bs makes me mad
robin should call the adjusters company and defend him.

[DolaMight]

By way of your story, I too am now offended by proxy.

It's a common expression, people use it with their kids all the time, to call for firing is probably the only racist act that happened.

[Heather 8]

Actually the adjuster is an employee of our company (he's an outside adjuster at an office in Bridgewater).

We're both out of the office today for a "meeting" in Philly (translated: lunch at D&B), but I think the managers are having a sit-down today. In the meantime, Robin's planning to go to HR on Monday to see if she can exstinguish the situation. However, she's afraid that, since the manager is a couple steps higher than us on the corporate ladder, and since she seems to be sincere on being offended (again, on Robin's behalf), things won't die down anytime soon.

[TheMojoPin]

Sounds like a lot of work is being done.

[Tallman388]

Sensitivity training is for Jerks and Lesbians.

[TheMojoPin]

I hope they bring it consultants and have a seminar.

[MadMatt]

I think the manager HAD to be offended. It's a CYA situation, where management has to make sure that everything possible is done to deflect/prevent a lawsuit. Even if Robin thought it was funny now, she could think about it later, realize it could be a racist comment, and sue the adjuster and the company.

I am not saying Robin WOULD do that or that the manager isn't just being a self-righteous busy body, but from a corporate perspective I can see it. It is ridiculous and horrible reflection on our current culture, but I can see it.

[Judge Smails]

http://www.gamertagpics.com/messages/THEASSKICKER/Howard%20Cosell.jpg

"Look at that little monkey run!"


On a side note: I don't think that I could work with a black woman named Robin. I'd spend all day saying "Hoo Hoo, Robin. They're ripping me off", and comments of that nature.

[buzzard]

If she wasn't offended then no-one should be..this PC thing is way outta control..If the adjuster had a history of offensive behavior..OK otherwise she shoulda minded her own beeswax!

[Tenbatsuzen]

Actually the adjuster is an employee of our company (he's an outside adjuster at an office in Bridgewater).

We're both out of the office today for a "meeting" in Philly (translated: lunch at D&B), but I think the managers are having a sit-down today. In the meantime, Robin's planning to go to HR on Monday to see if she can exstinguish the situation. However, she's afraid that, since the manager is a couple steps higher than us on the corporate ladder, and since she seems to be sincere on being offended (again, on Robin's behalf), things won't die down anytime soon.

The first problem he has is that since NJ is an at-will state so if he's got an HR person and manager on his case, that could be a problem. Also, if it's the company I'm thinking of, it could REALLY be a problem.

I think - not sure - that if his record is clean and it is this proxy situation you've described, he will probably be sent to a "class" for sensitivity and get a warning in his record.

Here is Robin's ace in the hole: If they decide to move forward and try to terminate the adjuster, Robin can claim uncomfortable work environment against the manager.

[Tenbatsuzen]

The problem is this... If the manager has to work with the adjuster, and she perceives him to be racist, even second handed, then that's how the adjuster can get in trouble. I'm not sure about fired, but definitely in trouble. It's all about uncomfortable work environments.

[topless_mike]

I hope they bring it consultants and have a seminar.

http://www.auburn.edu/student_info/consulting_club/bobs.jpg

"were going to need you to lay off the porch monkey jokes...."

[Tenbatsuzen]

http://www.auburn.edu/student_info/consulting_club/bobs.jpg

"were going to need you to lay off the porch monkey jokes...."

It's OK. I'm taking it back.

[led37zep]

Actually the adjuster is an employee of our company (he's an outside adjuster at an office in Bridgewater).

We're both out of the office today for a "meeting" in Philly (translated: lunch at D&B), but I think the managers are having a sit-down today. In the meantime, Robin's planning to go to HR on Monday to see if she can exstinguish the situation. However, she's afraid that, since the manager is a couple steps higher than us on the corporate ladder, and since she seems to be sincere on being offended (again, on Robin's behalf), things won't die down anytime soon.

I've never had a "corporate job" and I'm realizing why I enjoy my career so much. If Robin wasn't upset, and the adjuster didn't mean anything by it how is it racist? Its not like he said "Thanks your the help N$##@$". I can't begin to understand this bullshit.

Couldn't Robin craft a notarized letter stating that she wasn't offended and didn't take it as a racist comment? Why make an issue out of nothing by making people take bullshit classes?

[topless_mike]

I've never had a "corporate job" and I'm realizing why I enjoy my career so much. If Robin wasn't upset, and the adjuster didn't mean anything by it how is it racist? Its not like he said "Thanks your the help N$##@$". I can't begin to understand this bullshit.

Couldn't Robin craft a notarized letter stating that she wasn't offended and didn't take it as a racist comment? Why make an issue out of nothing by making people take bullshit classes?

maybe because since its out there, the company is afraid there might be backlash if robin becomes disgruntled in the future, and the company did nothing about this.

if she told nobody about this, then whatever. but since somebody else was witness to this, or became aware of this, it could turn into a problem.

[Team_Ramrod]

That is quite a situation.

Yes, it could be perceived as insensitive if someone knew they were talking to a black person.... But the lady who fielded the call was not offended so why should anyone else be?
The 'other' lady didn't know what context or tone the line was delivered.
That pisses me off, it's the same with fat people... looking to be the victim.


And yes, the sooner Jackson and Sharpton are assassinated the quicker our culture and species can evolve.

[led37zep]

maybe because since its out there, the company is afraid there might be backlash if robin becomes disgruntled in the future, and the company did nothing about this.

if she told nobody about this, then whatever. but since somebody else was witness to this, or became aware of this, it could turn into a problem.

True but if she walked in (on her own) and stated that the comment wasn't perceived as racist or offensive and she didn't take it that way...why should there be a problem?

Then, get a back up statement from the guy who said it that there was no racial motive behind the statement.

It really sounds like you have a stupid manager who is trying to validate her job and avoid a perceived problem by creating another one.

[topless_mike]

It really sounds like you have a stupid manager who is trying to validate her job and avoid a perceived problem by creating another one.

QFT

[Hottub]

The whole goddam world has gone nuts? We have to spend our lives walking on eggshells, anymore. Especially the corporate world.

That remeinds me. I had better cut it out before I am slapped with a warrent. There's this chick I know, really cool. Everytime I talk to her, I jokingly a make comments regarding her rack.

[FezPaul]

Everyone has the right to shut up anyone who says anything they find offensive.

That's what America is all about.

[JPMNICK]

The whole goddam world has gone nuts? We have to spend our lives walking on eggshells, anymore. Especially the corporate world.

That remeinds me. I had better cut it out before I am slapped with a warrent. There's this chick I know, really cool. Everytime I talk to her, I jokingly a make comments regarding her rack.

no reilly will never call the cops, she is a good egg

[keithy_19]

There was a black guy who worked at my employment awhile ago. Cool guy. I used to joke with him about racial stuff. One day he was wearing a shirt with chains pritned onto the material. I jokingly said, "Andrew, all you need is a boat and you're all set." The kid laughed and proceeded to call me boo.

Another kid made a comment about AIDS coming from Africa and the kid, Andrew, flipped. I don't understand much anymore.

[torker]

Monkeys are fast?
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/d/de/Mojo(Simpsons).jpg/180px-Mojo(Simpsons).jpg

[ralphbxny]

I hope he gets to call her a stupid dumb monkey to her face if he gets fired. I'll do it for him if he wants.

Being Latino I hate seing the victim person or the person who tries to get attention with this kind of stuff. Cause when it really happens people dont believe it or care.

F that selfish C!

[TheMojoPin]

I hope he gets to call her a stupid dumb monkey to her face if he gets fired.

Who, the woman it was first said to? Why? What did she do?

[torker]

Why? What did she do?

She's loving by proxyhttp://www.fireblades.org/forums/images/smilies/squirrelwack.gif
No give and all take

[Heather 8]

Sounds like a lot of work is being done.

Well, when your company decides not to write any new homeowners policies for NJ, it tends to make for a LOT of downtime. I ain't thrilled about it, either.

[Tenbatsuzen]

Well, when your company decides not to write any new homeowners policies for NJ, it tends to make for a LOT of downtime. I ain't thrilled about it, either.

Ah. Not the company I was thinking of, then.

[Kris10]

If I worked at this company I would have been fired a long time ago.

[patsopinion]

It's OK. I'm taking it back.

did u get reprimanded for that?