Working with a racist and its helpers who offer protections to cover each other must be unpleasant when they bond together to bully, harass and get people quit. Many people left, the rest are the good slaves except for their inner circle bully.
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don't confuse favoritism with racism. Managers are allowed to have favorites within their team hence stack ranking. Manager only keeps his job by driving his team to be the most productive in every way he/she can.
Racism is the incitation of discrimination, hatred or violence towards a person or a group of persons because of their origin or their belonging, or not belonging, to a specific ethnic group or race. Such discrimination, hatred and violence are directed against minority groups. More broadly, racism can be defined as a set of theories and beliefs that establishes a hierarchy of races and ethnicities, based on misconceptions and stereotypes.
Please make sure that your experience clearly falls into the definition of racism. Never use the word loosely. If anyone finds that an allegation does not meet the definition, your credibility is gone.
If you face racism in your department you must document everything first and then call human resources. Then you must let human resources know you intend to file a complaint with EEOC (Equal Employment Opportunity Commision). This company Bank of America has paid millions in previous racial discrimination law suits. This company is known for their racial discrimination against minorities and women. If you don't do this human resources won't do a damn thing.
I'd like to share my personal experience regarding this similar issue in my last job, which painfully highlights the continued presence of systemic racism in some corporate workplaces. (in the past 10 years it has gotten worst.) Prior to working at BoFa, I had been performing exceptionally well in my role, (High Performer, bonuses, promotions even amongst the upper management drama changes.) garnering praise and recognition with new management. My current bosses did not like this.. However, when I attempted to address a problem about hiring concerns, and friendship internal structure clicks, my work environment changed drastically.
Just three months after speaking up about the widespread incidents of racism during a meeting, I was inexplicably written up. It was disconcerting, considering my strong performance record up until that point, and the fact that the feedback provided didn't align with the previous recognition I had received. (someone pulled me aside and reminded me: "HR works for the company, not you".. It felt as if simply raising the topic of racism had somehow ignited a latent resentment or discomfort from upper management, leading to what I can only describe as a concealed retaliation.
I found myself under constant scrutiny and criticism, facing disproportionate focus on minor errors while my achievements were blatantly overlooked. Eventually, the sustained negative attention and veiled hostility made it untenable for me to continue my role, forcing me to leave a job I was otherwise flourishing in. I was under a performance review which I never experienced before. Lack of sleep, focus, in addition to the recent loss of my mother made situations worst.
It's disheartening to think that speaking up against racism - an act that should be encouraged and applauded - was the catalyst for such a negative turnaround in my professional journey. It's an indication that the company culture was mired in bias, the very issue I sought to address. As employees, we should feel safe and empowered to point out prejudiced behavior without fearing reprisals or losing our livelihoods.
Going forward, my hope is that we can continue to shed light on these issues, to expose the systemic racism that still lurks in many workplaces, hidden beneath the veneer of nepotism and professionalism. We should strive to foster a culture of respect and inclusivity, where everyone is valued and free to voice their concerns without fear of retribution. - Still I fought and got my unemployment.
For those currently enduring similar experiences, know that you're not alone. Sharing our stories is a crucial part of raising awareness and spurring action. If we stand together, we can drive change and ensure a fairer, more equitable professional landscape for everyone. Alternatively, it becomes more challenging to secure a technical job due to nepotism.
@cgv+1mIsXczf and @1xka+1mIsXczf are correct.
- Collect any written examples - bullying and racist.
- Depending what state/country you are in, buy a cheap pocket recorder to record meetings/phone calls (use speaker phone). One-sided recording is legal in many places.
- Then file your complaint as noted earlier.
Depending how brave/fed up you are, have you considered calling out the person on the behaviors/comments "in the moment"? Right then and there. Just alleging racism - ("did you really just say that? that sounds racist to me".
Many are so ignorant and they really may not even know (or potentially, they know and don't care. There is that.)
Either way, guarantee you will scare the bejesus out of them!
Take care, my friend. If it's really that bad, you may want to move on. (THAT will get their attention - with the hiring freeze, they cannot replace you at least thru year end.)
You gotta do what's best for YOU!
1st -Post on the Layoff.com its the perfect place for guidance.
provide more info here. what types of things are said? what bully techniques are being used? Is this in a meeting? Side conversation?
At BAC, Bullying is not tolerated. Retaliation is not tolerated. Bias of any kind is not tolerated? Racism is not tolerated.
BUT, you need proof as stated above by CGV then report it. Put your evidence together. Take the emotion out of it and deal with facts.
good luck.
If the person is truly racist, in this instance HR is actually your friend.
Document EVERYTHING and call in to the Ethics Hotline (24/7):
1-888-411-1744 US, Canada, PR and USVI
1-770-613-6334 outside US (collect call*)
*To remain anonymous, identify yourself as Mr/Ms Banks when calling collect.
These guys are so left-leaning, with a bona fide charge of racism, I guarantee you WILL receive their FULL attention with action taken. (now, that may mean just referring the manager to "coaching", but it will become a permanent mark on their record and they will at a minimum at least have to be less overt and act "less racist".
This company may put up with a lot of cr*p, but real racism is not one of them.
Now, the petty favoritism among minions and sycophants (which is not necessarily racist) is another matter entirely. THAT will never go away until BM and his DRs move on to the great hereafter. (or wherever it is such people go)