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racism in the workplace

Former MemberFormer Member Posts: 1,876,323 The Mix Honorary Guru
in General Chat
I'm no racist, but apparently my boss is. He seems to think that me being a middle class white chap, he can share his 'witty' japes with me. So far I've just kind of smiled and walked off or appeared 'busy'. I think I've either got to call him on it, which could dent my chance of promotion, or joke along with him, in which case I'll feel like a bastard. So do I act racist and get rich or be a good, liberal lad and tell him to stop being a swine?

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    Former MemberFormer Member Posts: 1,876,323 The Mix Honorary Guru
    All well and good, but he's a bit of a brash fellah, and I don't think he'd be very embarrassed. I'd probably feel a bit better about myself if I came clean, but I would have less chance of advancement. Who knows, maybe if I appear to embrace his jokes, then I'll work my way up to be HIS boss someday? Then I could fire him, and have lots of money too, which would be nice.
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    Former MemberFormer Member Posts: 1,876,323 The Mix Honorary Guru
    You can sell out your principles if you want.
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    Former MemberFormer Member Posts: 1,876,323 The Mix Honorary Guru
    that's a tricky one, personally i don't see much wrong with racist jokes if it's in jest, like the ones that go 'there was an irish man, an english man, and a socts man.......' , you can usually tell..........you should catch him off guard, tell him a racist joke about middle class white chaps, if he looks offended just say 'oh sorry i thought you liked racist jokes, you weren't being serious were you?'.........that's what i'd do.
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    Former MemberFormer Member Posts: 1,876,323 The Mix Honorary Guru
    No, the jokes that he tells are the type that are not really in jest. I've nothing against the sending up of racism by acting racist, or telling harmless racist jokes that are obviously in jest, but this man just likes to tell jokes about how stupid anyone of a different ethnicity is. It makes my armpits damp because I don't know how to react.
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    Former MemberFormer Member Posts: 1,876,323 The Mix Honorary Guru
    There are two answers:

    - ideal solution would be to be brave and noble, tell him you don't agree with that kind of language, he respects you for it, and thus promotes you

    - real world solution, if you talk to him about it he's possibly going to think of you as a righteous twat who can't even take a bit of a harmelss joke, and not likely to take a shine to you when you're up for promotion.

    If it was me, I would probably get a job where I didn't have to feel like if I was upholding my principles I was damaging my promotion prospects. at the end of the day a job is just a job and there are plenty about all over the place. It's really up to you though, if you're smart about it you could say to him next time he makes a joke that you think it's a bit harsh, or something like that, but I don't know.
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    Former MemberFormer Member Posts: 1,876,323 The Mix Honorary Guru
    I was sacked for racism late last year.

    I worked in HMV and was describing GTA: San Andreas for Playstation 2 to a customer. I said "it's very black". He told my manager and I got escorted out of the store by the security guard.

    Racism in the work place is no myth. I have perpetrated it!
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    Former MemberFormer Member Posts: 1,876,323 The Mix Honorary Guru
    This thread is dead mate. Though I don't actually see what you said was racist. It is a very black game! Well in the first island anyway.
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    Former MemberFormer Member Posts: 1,876,323 The Mix Honorary Guru
    Mr. Soft wrote:
    I'm no racist, but apparently my boss is. He seems to think that me being a middle class white chap, he can share his 'witty' japes with me. So far I've just kind of smiled and walked off or appeared 'busy'. I think I've either got to call him on it, which could dent my chance of promotion, or joke along with him, in which case I'll feel like a bastard. So do I act racist and get rich or be a good, liberal lad and tell him to stop being a swine?

    Most people who tell racist jokes aren't really racist ideologically...if that's the case with him, you're probably best off smiling meekly and looking away...he should get the message without you forgoing promotion.
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    Former MemberFormer Member Posts: 1,876,323 The Mix Honorary Guru
    Most middle aged people are like that though. It's not really their fault, if my manager was like that I'd laugh at him with him thinking I was laughing with him.
This discussion has been closed.