My coworker is a racist / I am not innocent neither. What do I do?

Question

Okay, here is the situation. I am sharing an office with an older white female coworker (she's 56 years old, I am 25) She constantly calls me "j*p" (well, I am Japanese) (I guess she thinks it is funny)

The other day, I called her "goodyear blimp" when I was on the phone with my friend (I didn't realize she was listening to my conversation the whole time) This lady is very vindictive, she's my supervisor. Just wondering what do I do to maintain a good relationship with her? thanks

Answer 1

She may not have realized that you were talking about her. If she said nothing at the time this could be true

Answer 2

I'm not usually the snitching kind, but if it's really causing problems I would go to her boss and let them know what's going on. Usually calling someone a racial epithet can get you in deep trouble.

Answer 3

First of all this "supervisor" needs to be retrained.  She has no right to call you anything except whatever your name is.  Tell her that you don't appreciate being called a j*p.  It's offensive and racist and you don't find it funny at all.  If she continues to do it then you should go to her supervisor and report her.  She shouldn't be a supervisor if she can't deal with everybody put in her section.  If, after you report her to her supervisor, nothing changes, then go higher - to Human Resources or whatever the next level in your company is.  These are hostile working conditions and you don't have to put up with it.  You have to fight for your rights in this world.  As far as maintaining a good relationship with her, who cares.  All you're supposed to do is what you were hired to do.  As long as you do what you're required to do there's nothing anybody can do to you.  Just don't tolerate being treated poorly by anyone.

Good luck.  Be strong.  Stand your ground.

Answer 4

Thankfully in most places nowadays you can file a formal complaint against someone that sexually harasses you or uses racial slurs. Unfortunately, she came from a time when infantile insecure white people ruled so she thinks she can say what she wants. NOT SO GRANDMA! Tell the windbag to go eat jello, watch matlock and die.

Answer 5

You don't have a good relationship with her.  Even if she is your supervisor she has no right to call you j*p.  You should stand up for yourself and tell her that you find that offensive and want to be addressed by your name only.  She's ignorant.

Answer 6

well your comments were not racist, but hers were. i would just work and avoid her. if she keeps it up report her.

Answer 7

If you ask me, her calling you a racial slur is a lot worse.

I suppose you could make a formal apology and then keep a low profile, but personally I'd be getting my resume ready and looking for other jobs. Why would you want to work for someone like that?

Answer 8

...go to your shop foreman and file a complaint of derogatory bias treatment in the workspace...

...though she heard you on the phone...it wasn't a face to face conversation...like her remark of your ethnicity...

...vindictive or not... file your complaint and maybe others will come out too...good luck...

Answer 9

Hey people will be people, don't let her stupidity make you unhappy on the job. Once you allow people to see that they're getting to you, it will never stop, most times if it stops is when you've left the job and you know what...you'd have made her happy! Smile broadly and go about your business and eventually she'll see she's being the clown!  

Answer 10

I would tell her face to face, that calling me a "j*p" is racist and against company policy.  If she wants to take it to another level than we can go talk to Human Resources or I could file a complaint with the EEOC.  (Equal Employment Opportunity Commission)  She'll back off in a hurry!  You'll probably have her job in 6 months. You go girl!

Good Luck

Breeze