Reader Shares Her Story...
Pre-Halloween, I asked all of you what stands out in your mind, when it comes to the racist ghouls and goblins you work with. One reader, had a similar story to me, as far as having people question her about clothing, jewelry, etc.
Anonymous said:
I have [been] dealing with this for the past five years with a particular hispanic female co-worker. Anytime, I come to work with any new clothing including shoes, she wants to know if the material is authentic(e.g.touching and feeling), where I buy it and how much did it cost. I can tell it annoys her that I have nice things. It got really bad when she found out that I was about to purchase my first home(I'm the only one who owns her own home, besides our manager). I mean, she doesn't behave this way with the other woman(who are non-black), when they acquire something nice. The focus seems to be primarily on me and what I have.
I'm the only black woman in my department and I'm young. I just feel like I'm under constant scrutiny by her and the other females I work with.
Anonymous said:
I have [been] dealing with this for the past five years with a particular hispanic female co-worker. Anytime, I come to work with any new clothing including shoes, she wants to know if the material is authentic(e.g.touching and feeling), where I buy it and how much did it cost. I can tell it annoys her that I have nice things. It got really bad when she found out that I was about to purchase my first home(I'm the only one who owns her own home, besides our manager). I mean, she doesn't behave this way with the other woman(who are non-black), when they acquire something nice. The focus seems to be primarily on me and what I have.
I'm the only black woman in my department and I'm young. I just feel like I'm under constant scrutiny by her and the other females I work with.
posted by S. Mary Wills at 10:23 AM
2 Comments:
I also had that problem with a white co worker many years ago, she would ask if the clothes I was wearing were new and if I said no she would say "well I have never seen those clothes before" and then look you up and down plus she never complimented you on the clothes she just wanted to know if it was new. I finally got irritated and asked her why she kept asking me that she made some excuse but toned it down some.
I'm the anon, who shared her story. I have been thinking long and hard and I have decided that it's time for me to take action.
I've been working with these people for over 5 years and their behavior towards me has been the same with no signs of improving.
The firm I work for is very protective of their image and reputation. When I was being sexually harassed, some years ago by a male coworker, I reported him and he was fired immediately. So, I feel somewhat confident that this matter will be handled well.
I would like to know once I speak with HR(give the an account of what has been going on), what will the process be like? What are the possible outcomes of cases like this? Will it matter that I don't have dates and times?
I would really appreciate your help in this matter. Thank you.
lizmclane@gmail.com
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