BLACKS SHOULD AVOID: BEING A WHITE COWORKER'S "MESSENGER"
Do not allow White coworkers to designate you as the bearer of bad news that is to be delivered to other minority staff. You know what I’m talking about…a White person may ask you to relay negative information to another Black worker that you are friendly with because that person “might take it better coming from you.”
For instance, a White manager may ask you to speak with your Black lunch buddy about her “attitude” because her “attitude” is causing problems on the job.
Relaying a message like that is not your business, should not be made your business (bad news should be confidential between coworkers or between managers and subordinates), and should come from someone in authority.
If you are ever put in the position where someone has asked you to serve as the office’s Negro anchorman (disseminating “breaking news” to other minorities), kindly tell them that, despite any existing relationship you might have with what I will call their "target," you are not comfortable being placed in the middle of a sensitive situation.
Thank the person for considering you capable of being careful and delicate in conveying sensitive information, but make it clear that you do not wish to take your relationship with the other minority in that direction. Emphasize that you are not their supervisor or manager and, therefore, it is inappropriate for you to conduct yourself as such. You can also make it clear that you will speak to the person about the subject, but only if they choose to share the information with you first. Other than that scenario, you would rather focus on your work and personal conduct and leave any verbal warnings to the appropriate members of management.
For instance, a White manager may ask you to speak with your Black lunch buddy about her “attitude” because her “attitude” is causing problems on the job.
Relaying a message like that is not your business, should not be made your business (bad news should be confidential between coworkers or between managers and subordinates), and should come from someone in authority.
If you are ever put in the position where someone has asked you to serve as the office’s Negro anchorman (disseminating “breaking news” to other minorities), kindly tell them that, despite any existing relationship you might have with what I will call their "target," you are not comfortable being placed in the middle of a sensitive situation.
Thank the person for considering you capable of being careful and delicate in conveying sensitive information, but make it clear that you do not wish to take your relationship with the other minority in that direction. Emphasize that you are not their supervisor or manager and, therefore, it is inappropriate for you to conduct yourself as such. You can also make it clear that you will speak to the person about the subject, but only if they choose to share the information with you first. Other than that scenario, you would rather focus on your work and personal conduct and leave any verbal warnings to the appropriate members of management.
posted by S. Mary Wills at 11:55 AM
1 Comments:
Again, the opposite is true.
Always have a black supervisor reprimand a black employee.
If the employee cries racism, even settling the case out of court could jeopardize the whole company if it's a small one.
The company won't take a loss and will pass the expense on to you by not giving out Christmas bonuses or raises.
Is your 'brutha' or 'sistah' gonna pay your bills? No. You are. Ask them for a loan after you are laid off and they have that discrimination settlement money and see what happens.
Make sure to ask them why they ain't 'keepin' it real' when they refuse to loan you some money.
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