Phoenix84
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Post by Phoenix84 on Apr 23, 2014 16:53:56 GMT -5
I've seen statistics stating that 1 in 5 American workers have felt they have faced some sort of discrimination in the workplace. What about you? Have you ever felt discriminated against, for any reason, at work or elsewhere? If so, what were the circumstances?
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Ava
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Post by Ava on Apr 23, 2014 17:00:19 GMT -5
No, never. I am a foreign-born citizen, Hispanic ethnicity. I'm a woman. I don't think I have ever been discriminated. I'm overweight and some people are judgmental and look me up and down with a disapproving glance. I'm talking about a couple of folks at HR. But they gave me the job anyway.
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comom1
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Post by comom1 on Apr 23, 2014 17:04:28 GMT -5
My first day of work as a baggage handler was eye-opening. This guy walked up to me, pointed at me and said, "I don't like you and you don't belong here." I couldn't even come up with a reply. This was the mid 80s and we weren't welcome. Even our manager told us that he didn't want to hire any women, but HR told him he had to.
It was a miserable work environment, but none of us were going to give up. One girl said she threw up on the way to work every day until she was off probation. I never got that nervous, but I was close.
They did everything they could think of to make us quit. I'm happy to report that we all made it through and retirement isn't too far off. Sticking it out was the best revenge.
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The Captain
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Post by The Captain on Apr 23, 2014 17:18:55 GMT -5
A few weeks after starting a job I'm in a meeting with a bunch of folks about a project plan. I was asked to take and type up minutes because "my handwriting" was neater than anyone elses...
1. Obviously they never saw my handwriting. 2. The fact that I was the only female in the room (with a bunch of men who were my junior in terms of title) was not lost on anyone.
I calmly suggested to my boss after the meeting that if minutes needed to be taken we bring in someone who is actually skilled at doing that function next time, or to have someone more junior to me do so in order to give me to freedom to focus on contributing rather than taking notes.
He got my message, I was not asked again.
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Phoenix84
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Post by Phoenix84 on Apr 23, 2014 17:20:14 GMT -5
I think my age and eyesight played a role in my wrongful termination. I don't think they were the only reasons, but certainly a contributing factor. So I'm not sure I'd say it was total discrimination, but it was an issue.
Even though being a young person does not make you a protected class, I do think the fact I was in my early 20's and working with a bunch of guys in their 50's meant I didn't really "fit in." And it showed in the way they treated me, and I'm sure was a major reason they complained I had a "bad attitude." They had a regular good old boys club going on.
I've also had people express disapproval over my eyesight. I had to read tiny serial numbers that were often worn in poor lighting conditions. I also had to do this as fast as they wanted and they made a big deal out of it. They express "concern" and required me to contact a "medical professional" which is extremely insulting. Basically they're playing junior opthalmologist and assume I am not cmpetent enough to manage my condition, or I've never been to an eye doctor before. Even at my current job, I had one person demand a meeting with my boss to complain that I blow up documents on my monitor so I can see them better. Well whoop-de-freaking-do, is it that big of a deal? Again, they act like this is something new and not something I've lived with my entire life. My vision is as good as it's ever going to get.
I can't really figure out why, but some people get really upset if you have any vision related issues, and draw negative conclusions of your overall competence based on it.
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Ava
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Post by Ava on Apr 23, 2014 17:26:00 GMT -5
Even at my current job, I had one person demand a meeting with my boss to complain that I blow up documents on my monitor so I can see them better.
What kind of person does that? I hope your boss told them to mind their own business.
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The Captain
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Post by The Captain on Apr 23, 2014 17:27:44 GMT -5
Oh, oh! I've got another one... I'm managing a HUGE frigging sales tax audit at one of our TX manufacturing plants (actually 5 plants on the same acerage). There are millions of dollars at stake and I'm flying down every Sunday for 10 weeks straight to keep everything on track. In the land of Big hair, gun racks in the trucks, Mary Kay, and open beverage containers I'm meeting resistance (go figure ) because the good 'ol boys don't like being asked to do work by no woman! I actually had the plant manager put his sweaty arm around me and tell me "Listen little missy, you gotta understand there is a certain way we do things around here..." Fortunately my manager had a bigger set of balls than the plant manager did and got the VP of Finance to call the VP of manufacturing about the situation. Nothing gets cooperation quicker then the threat of a hit to bonuses/bottom line! They weren't happy, but I finally got the cooperation needed. The only guy at the whole facility who was nice to me was the nurse who had done a stint in the Army, Rocky was his nickname, and I still am grateful to him for that bit of kindness to this day.
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Apr 23, 2014 17:34:50 GMT -5
I guess I was discriminated against when I was pregnant since I lost my teaching job at a private school back in 1976 when that was still allowed. I did get unemployment for almost a year, though.
But that was fairly benign. It was actually allowed (not illegal). But it wasn't an allowable reason as far as unemployment went. So it worked out fine. There was a recession so they kept extending benefits.
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Apr 23, 2014 17:57:21 GMT -5
I got asked if I was sure I could juggle my daughter and being a grad student, and the male post doc was never asked that (about his kid) even though our children were about the same age when we jointed the lab. I also got told by another PI that I should not get my PhD at that university because my husband was graduating sooner than I would and obviously I needed to follow him (implying that his career is more important than mine).
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Abby Normal
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Post by Abby Normal on Apr 23, 2014 18:25:29 GMT -5
I was once told I was "really quite smart for a woman". Same guy also said I'd go far if my "biological clock wasn't ticking".
After that, I really loved making him feel stupid as often as I could... which was a lot.
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whoisjohngalt
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Post by whoisjohngalt on Apr 23, 2014 18:47:42 GMT -5
Hmmmm.....I was once told at a car dealership that they have to wait for my husband to discuss the pricing of the car and financing options. Does that count?
The thing is, coming from where I am from, my entire family was very much discriminated against. And I am not talking about stupid car buying crap. so, yeah, I was, but not in US
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ՏՇԾԵԵʅՏɧ_LԹՏՏʅҼ
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Post by ՏՇԾԵԵʅՏɧ_LԹՏՏʅҼ on Apr 23, 2014 19:38:18 GMT -5
Hmmmm.....I was once told at a car dealership that they have to wait for my husband to discuss the pricing of the car and financing options. Does that count? I had the same thing happen to me at a car dealership about 10 yrs ago. I was in the market for a new car, and went to the dealership we'd used for purchasing DH's truck, since I was interested in a specific make/model and color - as well, I also knew which options I wanted in the car.
I went there on a day off from work on my own. I was in the showroom looking at the car I was interested in, and checking the brochure for the color options and extras (options).
I was of course immediately approached by a sales rep - I stated what size engine I was looking for, the paint color, options - power windows/seats, air, cruise, tilt, seat fabric, etc. (I was raised on cars - my 3 brothers were all car afficionados, as well as racers - so I'd learned more than a thing or two about cars).
The sales rep "placated" me as he listened to what I was wanting.
He then suggested that I return with my husband on the weekend to discuss options & pricing.
I was irritated (to say the least) at being dismissed because I was a woman. I did return with DH - and the sales rep was talking to him about the car like I wasn't even in the room. DH turned to him and said, "I'm not the one who's going to be driving the car - speak to her about what she has in mind - then all 3 of us will discuss price - maybe".
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Artemis Windsong
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Post by Artemis Windsong on Apr 23, 2014 19:50:17 GMT -5
Yes. At work, golf, tennis, getting estimates, oil changes. Some of the worst are woman against woman.
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midjd
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Post by midjd on Apr 23, 2014 20:38:51 GMT -5
There are a few times I haven't been taken seriously because of my age, but I wouldn't go so far as to call it discrimination.
I was recently in a meeting where an older white man said something mildly racist, then (upon seeing our black admin assistant) said "oh I hope that didn't offend you. My college roommate was black so I'm not racist!"
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Apple
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Post by Apple on Apr 23, 2014 21:46:01 GMT -5
Hahahaha, yes! But, not by the ones you would think if you knew the people at work. The ex-logger, male chauvinists love me, the "caring, forward-thinking guys who profess that women belong here just as much as men" are the ones who discriminate the most.
I've been passed up for promotions to guys who had no clue what they were doing. My boss wanted to put a guy in as foreman who everyone HATED, because the guy kissed his ass and he thought the crew might have a problem working for me since I'm female (the two guys who might have a problem had it because I made them work, not because I'm a girl). Fortunately, our real foreman came back so it ended up not happening. I may be looking for a new job in about 3 years though.
Overall, I work with the most awesome group of guys, but the guys who are dickheads make me really work toward early retirement.
ETA: I was the first woman to work "in the crews" for most of their memory (I guess one woman had caused a ton of issues about 15 years before). There was only one other woman there who wasn't an admin, but she wasn't in maintenance. On top of that, I was only 21 when I started, so I was a LOT younger than most everyone who worked there.
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Post by BeenThere...DoneThat... on Apr 23, 2014 22:36:22 GMT -5
I've seen statistics stating that 1 in 5 American workers have felt they have faced some sort of discrimination in the workplace. What about you? Have you ever felt discriminated against, for any reason, at work or elsewhere? If so, what were the circumstances? ...yes... we're evangelical Christians and have been ridiculed/passed over in the secular work world since obviously we're loony tunes for believing in such mishmash... meanwhile, some churches have just plain said that they wanted only certain genders doing certain work... so, c'est la vie...
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Apr 23, 2014 23:38:46 GMT -5
I think my age and eyesight played a role in my wrongful termination. I don't think they were the only reasons, but certainly a contributing factor. So I'm not sure I'd say it was total discrimination, but it was an issue. Even though being a young person does not make you a protected class, I do think the fact I was in my early 20's and working with a bunch of guys in their 50's meant I didn't really "fit in." And it showed in the way they treated me, and I'm sure was a major reason they complained I had a "bad attitude." They had a regular good old boys club going on. I've also had people express disapproval over my eyesight. I had to read tiny serial numbers that were often worn in poor lighting conditions. I also had to do this as fast as they wanted and they made a big deal out of it. They express "concern" and required me to contact a "medical professional" which is extremely insulting. Basically they're playing junior opthalmologist and assume I am not cmpetent enough to manage my condition, or I've never been to an eye doctor before. Even at my current job, I had one person demand a meeting with my boss to complain that I blow up documents on my monitor so I can see them better. Well whoop-de-freaking-do, is it that big of a deal? Again, they act like this is something new and not something I've lived with my entire life. My vision is as good as it's ever going to get. I can't really figure out why, but some people get really upset if you have any vision related issues, and draw negative conclusions of your overall competence based on it. There are morons everywhere. I'm so sorry to hear you had to deal with such blatant discrimination. Don't you have a government job? I thought government employers would be very sensitized to ADA and reasonable accommodations. I'd be enjoying my 32" computer screen right about now after that freak asking for a meeting with my boss! And yes, I have faced discrimination from clients (worked in a male dominated field) and had clients that felt that I should be home and not taking the job away from a man that needed it. One company I worked for had a significant problem finding qualified female or minority candidates for Management & Higher positions (as in 100% middle aged white males may apply only). We had government contracts, so the OFCCP sanctioned the company and suddenly they were scrambling to create development paths for women and minorities. Then you spent the rest of your career tagged as a quota fill instead of having worked really hard to get the job. Now that I think of it, someone once actually accused me of sleeping with the VP to get the international assignments I was put on. I guess that company was culturally deficient.
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Apr 23, 2014 23:58:32 GMT -5
How do people at work know you are evangelical anything? Do you prosthletize or speak in tongues at work? How would they find out your religious beliefs? Please be aware that I don't actually know what makes someone an Evangelical Christian vs some other Christian affiliation. Do you live in an area that is predominantly a different religion than what you observe.
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Peace Of Mind
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Post by Peace Of Mind on Apr 24, 2014 1:23:22 GMT -5
Yes, back in the early 90's I worked for a male chauvinist pig as the Office Manager and his personal assistant. He was the President and Owner/Partner of the firm. I had a staff of 7 with a secretary that I had to share a couple of days a week with 3 Sales Managers. I had turned in my resignation and he offered me a $4,000 raise if I'd stay. When I told him no thank you he said. Well. If you were a man I'd have paid you $20,000 more for all that you do. I wanted so bad to say: Well. You are such an asshole I'd not have accepted that offer either.
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truthbound
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Post by truthbound on Apr 24, 2014 3:35:44 GMT -5
Yes. In every walk of life. Can't think of a time I wasn't.
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milee
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Post by milee on Apr 24, 2014 5:44:24 GMT -5
I've seen statistics stating that 1 in 5 American workers have felt they have faced some sort of discrimination in the workplace. What about you? Have you ever felt discriminated against, for any reason, at work or elsewhere? If so, what were the circumstances? ...yes... we're evangelical Christians and have been ridiculed/passed over in the secular work world since obviously we're loony tunes for believing in such mishmash... I don't know what the circumstances were in your case, so I'm not implying in any way that this was your situation, but in my experience the Evangelicals that I've worked with that were passed over or discriminated against caused that by proselytizing at work. Nobody would even know they were Evangelical if they weren't talking about religion at work in a way that made others uncomfortable, and it was the constant talk that was inappropriate, uncomfortable for others and made people question their judgment which would be the same situation no matter what religion the person proselytizing was (Muslim, Evangelical, Scientologist.)
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Shooby
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Post by Shooby on Apr 24, 2014 6:09:26 GMT -5
Yes. With car buying or getting estimates on home repairs or taking my car to the garage or home buying. It has been said that they will give me the estimate, price, etc when I bring my husband in. And, I am like, this car is for ME and I am buying it so give me the deal now or I am walking. So, yeah I have had that type of thing. But, it doesn't bother me. If they dont' want to take my money, I will find someone else who treats me better who will!
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Apr 24, 2014 8:06:23 GMT -5
Why would anyone talk about their religion at work anyway? Unless you work for a church I think it is highly inappropriate in the secular world.
I was discriminated against for being too "young looking" to be a bartender when I was 23.
I assume the owner thought I looked just fine since he hired me. He asked me to come in during a weekday evening shift to have the current gal train me.
It would have been a perfect place to start: 10 bar stools and 4 tables, so not too big. The current barmaid put a bug in his ear that I looked to young to be behind the bar and I got a call the next day that it wasn't going to work out.
The worst part was that I bought some football squares while I was there that evening and I ended up winning (of course). AWKWARD! I collected my winnings the next Monday and told him no hard feelings. My bartending career ended before it even started. It was probably for the best anyway...
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hoops902
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Post by hoops902 on Apr 24, 2014 8:18:08 GMT -5
All the time. I'm not a woman and I don't have kids. I don't know that I'd call it discrimination in the legal sense, but I'm certainly treated differently.
I wouldn't say anything major. When it comes time to carry boxes or otherwise do manual labor that isn't in any way a part of the job, it's always men asked to help out. Whenever it's time to work a weekend or travel it's always "they can't, they have kids".
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Apr 24, 2014 8:25:45 GMT -5
Do they even ask? One of my sisters does a lot of work with companies in South America, but she was never sent when the company traveled there (she also was being passed over for promotions). When she brought it up to her boss he said that she needs to travel to move up and she said "why don't you send me, then?!?!" and he said "Oh, I figured you couldn't go because you have kids". She let him know that her DH was perfectly capable of watching the kids for a week while she was on assignment and asked to be sent as soon as possible. And within 2 years she moved up to middle management. Go figure!
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michelyn8
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Post by michelyn8 on Apr 24, 2014 8:26:17 GMT -5
I guess I was discriminated against when I was pregnant since I lost my teaching job at a private school back in 1976 when that was still allowed. I did get unemployment for almost a year, though.
But that was fairly benign. It was actually allowed (not illegal). But it wasn't an allowable reason as far as unemployment went. So it worked out fine. There was a recession so they kept extending benefits. I can't prove I was let go from a job in 1989 because I was pregnant but I'm pretty sure that was the reason. I hadn't been on the job long when I let HR know I was and that I was due in about 4-5 months and would need to take maternity leave. As soon as I had that conversation with her, I started getting the crap work dumped on me. I never complained, gave it the same level of care I gave every task and even did physical things like lifting and carrying boxes even though I could have reasonably asked for someone else to do those things. In the meantime, I was being called back to HR to be talked to about stupid things they said I wasn't doing right like throwing away a message slip when the called decided they didn't want to leave a number and would call back later. When they let me go, I realized they'd been building their paper trail. Since I was about a month and half from my due date, I didn't sweat it, filed for unemployment which I got with no problem and moved on. What reinforced my feeling of being let go because I was pregnant was that the lady in charge of benefits didn't cancel my insurance until after I'd had my baby so those costs were covered even though I hadn't elected to take Cobra which was a fairly new law at the time. The only other issues I've had over the years are the attitudes of some men I work with. Its nothing overt but I can always tell the ones that don't like that I'm not a yes person as they expect all admins to be. I want things done right and go out of my way to make sure they are because it not only makes my boss look good but if something ends up wrong, I'm the one that will have to fix it and I hate re-work. I work with one now that really hates when I ask questions and is crappy about sharing info with me I need to do my job. Since he's been reminded over and over I need to be in the loop about things and constantly neglects to do so, I have no issue throwing him under the bus to the client's finance guy who already doesn't like him because he causes issues for him too.
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sheilaincali
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Post by sheilaincali on Apr 24, 2014 8:43:23 GMT -5
Like Apple- I am female in what is typically a man's field of work. Honestly I'm so used to it that I don't even notice it anymore now. Back in my youth I was much more outspoken.
When I was in the Air Force we had a MSgt that was our first sergeant and one of his duties was to supervise "squadron details". Because my squadron owned the building our offices were in we had to handle all grounds keeping chores and building maintenance. MSgt M was a short black man that hated women and white people. He really did. So he set up detail assignments so that they were always groups of two. Always women grouped together and men grouped together. If a man had Details that week they did zero chores. Whenever two women had Details we were busy a good 40 hours a week and expected to do our regular job as well. It was stupid stuff too. He'd make the women pick up all the cigarette butts in the parking lot, paint the sidewalks, etc. If women had Details when we got snow we had to shovel by ourselves. If two men had Details when it snowed then the MSgt would make all of the enlisted help shovel snow rather than make them do it by themselves. I got sick of it and rallied all of the female airmen together and basically we stormed the Colonel's office to complain. MSgt M was relieved of that particular duty (but still our First Sergeant). I was re-assigned to Bird Patrol soon after that and accused of trying to "unionize the airmen". I didn't care- got me out of there and I spent 6 months working 3 to 4 days a week driving around in a pick up truck helping keep the flight line free to birds and wildlife. It was Alaska so we got to help them relocate Bears, scare Moose off the flight line, etc. Way better than being a desk jockey!
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sheilaincali
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Post by sheilaincali on Apr 24, 2014 8:46:27 GMT -5
The most disappointing one is my dad. As many of you know I work for him. Honestly at this point I stay because I'm good at my job and well compensated. He is going to retire and when he does I'm done with this place. He told me years ago that, although I was good at my job he could never let me take over for him because "as a female no one will ever take you seriously in this industry".
So he placed all his eggs in my idiot brother's basket. That kid is devoid of any people skills and personality. The plan is to sell the company I work for and hand over the other one to my idiot brother. Better than half the workforce and customers have told me that they would stay for me but if my brother is in charge they will quit (in the case of the employees) or take their business elsewhere (in the case of the customers).
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bookkeeper
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Post by bookkeeper on Apr 24, 2014 8:47:58 GMT -5
Hmmmm.....I was once told at a car dealership that they have to wait for my husband to discuss the pricing of the car and financing options. Does that count? Some good friends of ours were in the market to buy a new boat. Both the husband and wife were outstanding fishermen/boaters and the wife was the money handler in the relationship.
They had picked out the brand new boat they wanted and all the options while shopping at the boat show that winter. The wife walked into the dealer a week later to strike a deal and order the boat. The boat dealer told her to come back with her husband and not to waste his time with her girly ideas.
She promptly went to another dealer and bought a different boat. On the way home she made a point of driving to the first dealer and she went into his office and asked him to come see the beautiful boat that she had purchased from his competition.
Sometimes spending your money elsewhere so sweet.
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The Captain
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Post by The Captain on Apr 24, 2014 9:16:55 GMT -5
The most disappointing one is my dad. As many of you know I work for him. Honestly at this point I stay because I'm good at my job and well compensated. He is going to retire and when he does I'm done with this place. He told me years ago that, although I was good at my job he could never let me take over for him because "as a female no one will ever take you seriously in this industry".
So he placed all his eggs in my idiot brother's basket. That kid is devoid of any people skills and personality. The plan is to sell the company I work for and hand over the other one to my idiot brother. Better than half the workforce and customers have told me that they would stay for me but if my brother is in charge they will quit (in the case of the employees) or take their business elsewhere (in the case of the customers).
So why are you being so passive and just accepting it, go for it girl and let your Dad know you have bigger (balls) ambitions than your brother!
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