Moral dillema

**Russ** · 12-11-2005, 00:23

Right guys I need some opinions.

I work at a Social Club. I was brought in to be the resident DJ but on my 'off' nights I'm regularly asked to work behind the bar.

Recently one of the bar staff was fired for various reasons so we're looking for another person to cover those shifts.

I'm temporarily sharing a house with 2 indian guys - one of them has asked me to keep him in mind if the place I work at needs staff.

I told my boss about this but she declined his offer. Her reasons were as follows.

She did not want to have an indian working behind the bar because of the abuse he would likely recieve from a lot of the punters. The average customer at this social club is rather bigotted and have a 'send 'em back' mentality. Others might be quite civil while sober but after a few pints might end up saying some nasty things. They are known for being quite cruel and unkind to people they don't know or those who they percieve to be 'different'.

Let me clarify - she is not directly racist (at least I don't believe her to be) as she doesn't have a problem per se with indians or any race, it's just she has to think of the customer base. Because so many of the regulars seem to be stuck in their ways, if she had some kind of 'racial abuse clampdown' then I'm sure it would end up with us losing trade.

It's a shame that this seems to be the end of the matter - he's a pretty sound bloke.

I feel guilty about my employers taking this view. I know it's not my fault and there's little I can do.

Your views?

kronas · 12-11-2005, 00:34

you have no need to feel any guilt russ, i can see where shes coming from, if there are bigotted people then surely its better to keep the person out of harms way instead of as you said 'lose trade' or increase the amount of attacks on staff, sadly this is the way of society, you cannot control everyone

Hom3r · 12-11-2005, 00:36

Tell them that the Social club has racist Idiots there

Ramrod · 12-11-2005, 00:37

Quote:

Originally Posted by Russ D

Your views?

I'd come clean to your dark skinned m8. It's not your decision and the problem isn't of her making either. Life is like that sometimes and I'm sure he has had to deal with the occasional knockback because of his colour in the past.....I'mn sure he doesn't need the grief anyway....
...........on the other hand you could just not mention that the job is vacant till it's already filled again....

**Russ** · 12-11-2005, 00:39

Quote:

Originally Posted by david.ewles

Tell them that the Social club has racist Idiots there

I think most social clubs are full of Alf Garnett types.

Nikko · 12-11-2005, 00:39

I am not sure if the problem is prejudice by a manager against asians, or a manager against anyone not perceived to be local, or the fact that the manager in question is female with a conception that either of the above are valid objections.

If I was your housemate I would avoid working for some sanctimonious ignorant cow that some idiot had placed in a position of authority among a load of redneck clients.

**Russ** · 12-11-2005, 00:43

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nikko

If I was your housemate I would avoid working for some sanctimonious ignorant cow that some idiot had placed in a position of authority among a load of redneck clients.

I don't think that's a fair assessment of her - if she went ahead and employed him there will be a LOT of racial taunts and possibly a loss of business. I'm not sure her making a stand against ignorance would be in the best financial interests of the business.

Perhaps I'm wrong, I know nothing about the running of such and establishment.

Nikko · 12-11-2005, 00:48

Its her Business. She knows what works or not. I was not calling her = I am sure she is charming and lovely.

I am also sure all of the regulars are open minded, bright intelligent people with no axe to grind.

Sorry for my ill conceived response above, I foolishly thought you wanted a response to your question.

**Russ** · 12-11-2005, 00:52

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nikko

Its her Business. She knows what works or not. I was not calling her = I am sure she is charming and lovely.

I am also sure all of the regulars are open minded, bright intelligent people with no axe to grind.

Sorry for my ill conceived response above, I foolishly thought you wanted a response to your question.

OK, I'm not sure what your apparent sarcasm is implying - of course I was looking for a response and I merely replied to yours.

Nikko · 12-11-2005, 01:53

My apparent sarcasm was implying that clearly your ethnically diverse friend would struggle to work comfortably in such a closed minded environment.

He may be better advised to seek a position in more tolerant surroundings.

Don't feel guilty about your employer or your workplace - they know not what they do. My advice would be to point them at some enlightenment - do you know anyone with a firm foundation in tolerance with access to media influence?

**Russ** · 12-11-2005, 02:03

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nikko

Don't feel guilty about your employer or your workplace - they know not what they do. My advice would be to point them at some enlightenment - do you know anyone with a firm foundation in tolerance with access to media influence?

Yes - but how do I prove anything?

Nikko · 12-11-2005, 02:08

Quote:

Originally Posted by Russ D

Yes - but how do I prove anything?

Wait for the job to be advertised and encourage a range of people (you can monitor) to apply.

See what happens.

**Russ** · 12-11-2005, 02:11

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nikko

Wait for the job to be advertised and encourage a range of people (you can monitor) to apply.

See what happens.

It's not the kind of job that will be advertised, it's word-of-mouth. I'm just a DJ and barman there, I have no part in the recruitment process.

Nikko · 12-11-2005, 02:18

Quote:

Originally Posted by Russ D

It's not the kind of job that will be advertised, it's word-of-mouth. I'm just a DJ and barman there, I have no part in the recruitment process.

Then its not really an issue.

You have done what you can. They will do as they please to get someone that 'fits'

Whilst they employ you, you have to fit too.

If you do another job, keep it separate.

If it conflicts with your fundamental beliefs, then you have to analyse and come to a decision. HTH

**Russ** · 12-11-2005, 02:20

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nikko

HTH

Which it doesn't! This is why I've thrown it open to the forum. But I appreciate the input.