Homophobic slurs in my workplace.

Forums › Off topic › Homophobic slurs in my workplace.

tardtasticx

3075 posts

Uber Geek

#93986 2-Dec-2011 22:47

So I've recently started working in a hospital as an orderly, but I'm not going to say which hospital this is.
I started early this week and so far have been loving it. The co-workers are usually really nice, except one.

This one co-worker is constantly calling other co-workers faggot, homo, c#$*sucker etc... all for a laugh. Others do it too, but not as much.

Its just been getting to me today especially since I've started to notice it a lot more. Normally, I would be the first person to embarrass someone using these words in that way, but if I do, they might think of me differently and I don't particularly want to be known as the nark if I do go and inform the manager.

What would you guys do about this? And have any of you been in a similar situation?

Thanks in advance.
-Sam

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2851 posts

Uber Geek

#552896 2-Dec-2011 22:51

Just ignore it - Thats my advice. This guy has to put others down to make himself seem important.

tedzart

99 posts

Master Geek

#552936 3-Dec-2011 03:52

Hello Sam ,
allow me to offer my opinion and it is only an opinion.
Derogatary remarks such as you have mentioned may be regarded as another form of "bullying" particually
if you happen to be a Homosexual, nevertheless, they are the types of remarks to provoke a reaction.
To ignore in a sense is to accept such remarks and no one wants to become a "nark" when they are new on
the job.
However, did you know that the Public Service Association recently had been interviewing members, who
had encountered bullying in the work place, in their own homes, in an effort to make complaints of what is
happening in the work place more private. Top of the list for "bully in the workplace" are the Hospitals of
New Zealand. No one likes to be a nark, no one likes to be seen to complain and that is why the situation
continues.
Regards Tedz.

riahon

946 posts

Ultimate Geek

#552939 3-Dec-2011 06:18

I am sure such a place will have policy regarding this behaviour. In such a public place it is not only a safeguard for staff but for patients and visitors as well who might overhear such language. Maybe talk to HR, they would be more discreet and maybe a directive needs to be sent out to staff about appropriate disparaging language including, race and religion.

hellonearthisman

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#552940 3-Dec-2011 06:40

Totally don;t just let it go, that kind of talk isn't appropriate in the workplace and homophobia is up with with sexism and racism. I think Riahon and tedzart are right, that guy needs to pull his head in.

Kaos36

709 posts

Ultimate Geek

#552941 3-Dec-2011 06:49

My last job was like that but I put it down to them hating their job why else would you moan. These guys were anti homo, any man that didn't have a girlfriend was a raging homo in their opinion, anti Jew, anti Maori anti Asian anti government didn't matter who got in they all were basterds. What I couldn't understand that the two that mainly complained about Maori had Maori wives! I just couldn't get my head around that if your anti Asian or anti Jew you don't go and marry one do you? It goes against your crazy beliefs. I was employed for 7months (fast season) and was glad my last day at work came up. Apart from their views on life they were all hard workers, just not the type you would want to spend your working days with. lol

Forgot to offer some advice:

If the manager is not like the others I would go speak to him / her privately about the problem. Be wary though make sure the manager is a good guy otherwise it could backfire. In my case the manager was anti everything and the boss didn't give a damn. Not that I complained but I just new from the smoko talks.

alasta

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#552950 3-Dec-2011 08:14

riahon: I am sure such a place will have policy regarding this behaviour. In such a public place it is not only a safeguard for staff but for patients and visitors as well who might overhear such language. Maybe talk to HR, they would be more discreet and maybe a directive needs to be sent out to staff about appropriate disparaging language including, race and religion.

I agree with the above. Personally if it were me then I would be inclined to bail the guy up in a corridor and give him a short sharp shock, but that's only because I'm short tempered so it's not necessarily the best way to deal with it. You sound like you're level-headed enough to take it through the proper channels.

It might be helpful to familiarise yourself with your formal policy on workplace conduct so that you can clearly articulate which aspects of it are being violated.

jonherries

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#552955 3-Dec-2011 08:38

Interesting I assume the person is an orderly? I know in our hospital the orderly workforce is quite stable, so you probably can't anticipate that the person will just leave.

Unfortunately based on our structure there will not be much you can do, as it is quite an alpha male type group.

Sharesies

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tardtasticx

3075 posts

Uber Geek

#552970 3-Dec-2011 09:21

Hi there, many thanks for your advice guys. I'll start looking online today for any policies at our work about this, otherwise I'll have to go ask someone in person. I recall seeing a poster for a union which had anti-bullying motives and other things, but I don't know anything at all about unions.

There's a few managers I know of that I can speak to, and they seem to be very professional so I doubt they would take it wrongly if I went and spoke to them about this. If I lay a complaint to one of them, should I do it in person, or in writing?

stuzz

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#552974 3-Dec-2011 09:33

I agree with comments suggesting bringing it to a supervisor or managements attention.

There must be policy around bullying & derogatory statements relating to sexism, racism and other closed mind "isms"

If nothing else, register your complaint. If there is no official record of complaint, then it can often just be paid lip service.

oxnsox

1923 posts

Uber Geek

#552978 3-Dec-2011 09:47

some good comments here from all.

My tuppence would be that although you have to address it don't personalise the issue.
Be offended by language itself, not how you or any others may interpret it as individuals.

It's a public space, language and behaviour should be of a standard thats acceptable to that environment. How the dude manages his phobias or his language in his own home is not the the issue.

nate

6473 posts

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#553053 3-Dec-2011 12:21

Organising a meeting with your superior to voice your concerns. If you get no positive outcome, keep going higher until you do.

vexxxboy

4244 posts

Uber Geek

#553063 3-Dec-2011 12:53

if he's been there a while i would be surprised that management are not aware of his behaviour, you cant be the only one that is offended by his comments, so he may have been warned already. so go to management but be discrete

Common sense is not as common as you think.

jeffnz

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#553067 3-Dec-2011 13:21

In my opnion to do nothing is condoning the behavior however my personality is that I hit those situations like a bull at a gate which isn't everyones avenue.

There is no need to read up on your workplace policy as it is covered by NZ law and human rights act.
http://www.eeotrust.org.nz/toolkits/harassment.cfm

You don't need to be the person that is being subjected to this and the employer has to to do something about it.

I agree with the poster saying be wary of management as it may be as a resuolt of thier attitude as well but it can be circumvented.

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Boeingflyer

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#553100 3-Dec-2011 14:56

Harassment in the workplace is considered an action that is unwanted. So for a start, you have to make it clear to this person that the actions he is doing is unwanted against you. once this has been brought to his attention, then management can start putting some warnings/employment redress etc on this matter if it arises again.
I'm not on this other guys side but you do remember that every story has two sides. Fair management is too informed this guy what he is doing wrong, he may well not know his actions are affecting others.

LordDweedle

21 posts

Geek

#553337 4-Dec-2011 07:39

If he says stuff like that to you directly i'd advise you warn him yourself that you will not tolerate those insults.

If he does it again then report him.

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