Indifferent treatment

Written by Veronica Jacks
December 9, 2010

Indifferent treatment on the job could become more than just the simple overwhelming feeling that a target has been placed on your back.  Racial discrimination comes in many different forms in the workforce. Sometimes it is unnoticeable only because peoples have a tendency to ignore the symptoms of racial discrimination. Sometimes people will rather just walk away from it because it is much easier to get away from it than to deal with it. However, sometimes racial discrimination seems to slap a person so hard that it cannot be ignored, it won't go away, it will eat at a person from the inside out.

Especially when a person know that he or she have been turned down for a job opportunity or given some task that's too complicated or too difficult to accomplished simply because he or she is black or the ethnical background is African American. Regardless of your capabilities, your educational background, and your experience the manager or company you work for just continue to pass over you.

Many people do not know what to do when they sense he or she is being discriminated against because of race. Sure it sounds simple go to the human resource department and file a complaint but if you do not have the facts to back up your claims or proof a person can be labeled as a trouble marker or worst a liar.

Therefore, many people do not say anything because of the repercussions of making an official complaint to the company. In some situations the best tactic to protect themselves to to make a formal complaint. Many companies encourage employees to follow protocol and actually open an investigation about the compliant. However, the investigation is designed to protect the company and the managers of organization. In case the employee decide to pursue the matter further with the EEOC.

The company will more than likely close the investigation with reasons or justification of why this employee was not promoted or why the most difficult task were assigned to the employee, or why the employee responsibilities were changed without prior notification. The company will claim the manager was in his or her right to treat the employee differently. The human resources representative will end the investigation with statements on the behalf of the company claiming personality issues caused conflicts, or because behavior issues. The employee refusal to work with others or the employee is not a fit to the group were reasons for indifferent treatment.

In any case racial discrimination in the workforce should be dealt with the organizational structures of management. Some companies enjoy promoting intelligent African American females into the upper ranks of management. This is making a statement to the world, 'we have evolved, we have overcome issues of diversity, we recognize the black people in our organization'.

However, on the other hand some companies prefer to hire black people to fill the status quo. The company do not expect the black people to work hard or gain any type of recognition with the workforce. The manager will not acknowledge the black person in meetings, or assign them to work on his or her own in daily task. If the black person begins to excel in his or her job the manager may begin to give poor performance reviews. The manager may begin to tell the black employee that he or she need to work on his or her behavior patterns. The manager may even accuse the black employee of not doing what he or she was told to do (not following instructions) The manager may tell the employee he or she is not doing a good job. The manager may tell the employee if you cannot do your job I will find someone else to do it.

Many African American employees will become confused or discombobulated Why? Because he or she is working efficiently, respectful to others, and never come to work late. Therefore, it appears the manager is beginning to make false accusations. This gives the manager leverage to further discriminate against the black employee. This is easy with there is only one African American in the group. The likelihood of the employee going to human resource to file a complaint is second to none. The black employee do not have any proof, not enough facts, and his or her allegations is not enough to open an investigation.

The manager has been nice to all other employees, giving the other employee good performance reviews, and adequate raises, therefore, the manager is confident that either of the other employees will speak against him or her in an investigation.

In a nutshell, the African American employee is being racially discriminated against on the job. The manager has poor performance reviews and notes to prove without a doubt the employee is a under performer in the group. The manager can proclaim he or she is fair and reasonable person whom has given the black employee chances to improve his or her performance. The African American employee is expected to become emotional, angry, and detached from the group. This places the black employee in a hopeless working environment full of discontentment, dissatisfaction, and disappointment. The disease of the 3D's, but wait it's not over, this situation is not a total lost, there is still hope for the future.

The manager thinks he or she has painted the black employee into a corner, this is a big mistake, and an opportunity for the black employee to overcome this dire circumstance of unprovoked racial discrimination. The black employee can either choose to become a victim or a victor. If he or she chooses to become a victor, one thing to remember, stay calm, do not let your emotions take control, do not let them see you sweat. Try not to react violently or angrily, as that will only make things worst. I know this is easier said than done, you won't be able to avoid a conflict, regain your composure. You have been put off and things are off balance try to approach this situation with a different attitude.

Go to human resources tell the representative you want to improve your work performance. Let him or her know you have been getting poor performance reviews, ask for guidance, ask for assistance to improve your working relationship with your manager. Let the representative know that you feel uneasy about your working atmosphere, you are the only black person in your group and your manager makes you feel uncomfortable. Hopefully the human resource representative is willing to assist. However, you may find a representative who is somewhat of a prejudice idiot, has a high paying job, will shrug you off, and will go running to your manager to tell them to get rid of you as soon as possible.

Make a self-assessment of your job, your responsibilities, and your performance to be evaluated by the representative. This different attitude will increase your self-esteem, build self-confidence, and gain self-respect. Some companies require employees to notify the manager of a need to seek assistance from human resource. Make sure to tell the manager this is a personal matter. However, try to do this during break time or lunch hour the open door policy should be perfect. Understanding this is a unsettling, uncomfortable, and unprovoked situation to remain a loyal employee. You need to take control of the situation.

However, if you are just feed up with the situation and don't give a damn if you remain an employee or not. Go to your manager tell him or her you are being discriminated against because your a black employee (it will help to say it loudly) let them know you will not tolerate it. Go directly to human resource tell someone you have been discriminated against because you are a black employee. Go file a complaint with the EEOC and start looking for a good lawyer. If you are terminated for accusing the company of discrimination make sure you check the little box [RETALIATION]. My advice if you have tangible evidence to support your claim talk to a legal advocate or the labor board as soon as possible even if you suspect you a being discriminated against because you a black.