Im an african american female probably the complexion of hmm jay-z. The CEO made a reference to my skin tone.?

michr

Would this be considered race-discrimination?
....ONLY if it effected your employment

racially insensitive, stupid, ignorant, backwoods, .........YES

discrimination..............NO

Charlie Bucket

It doesn't sound like you're being discriminated against. It sounds like he was trying to compliment you, even if it was inappropriate and to some, offensive.

Ashley

it was definetly rude. you were right to put him in his place, but i dont think he was purposly being racist. In his own stupid way he probably thought he was paying you a compliment.

Mikkfinn

nah, just stupid. Sometimes our ability to suffer the ignorance of others is a testimony to our own intelligence.

Schmoke and a pancake?

Not necessarily discrimination, but definitely out of line. If your company has a CEO, it probably also has a human resources department. Go to them and report this incident, and give the name of the painter as a witness.
And good for you that you gave the response that you did, you did a good job of standing up for yourself.

lacoste042

What are you talking about? Your just looking for trouble!

Chris

It's not race discrimination as he is not withholding some benefit from you (e.g. job promotion, wage increase, etc.) in connection with it.

It can however be the basis for a hostile work environment claim, although unlikely to prevail based on one comment.

In any event, it's wrong and he should be punished at work for it. You may want to consider writing a letter to the Board of Directors, who are his boss.

arklatexrat

I have a feeling he thought he was paying you a compliment.
If you were offended by the remark, you should tell him you didn't appreciate it. If he retaliates or continues with that and worse after you have warned him he crossed the line with you, then it's discrimination.

But honestly, the world has gotten so uptight over all this "pc" stuff that nobody knows what's ok to say anymore--give him the benefit of the doubt if you possibly can, and don't make more of it than you are SURE he intended.

Mel

The CEO is an idiot. Is this a one-time instance, or does this happen repetitively? Have you experienced any adverse employment action (failure to get promoted, get a raise, receive training, etc.) while non-minorities are treated differently?

A court will consider the pervasiveness and frequency of the CEO's actions, and also whether you were treated differently as a result of your race or national origin.

Lily

You need to grow thicker skin.

Toots

I think it was a clumsy way of complimenting you on the one-hand...
Race discrimination would be if he: called you an offensive name, passed you over for promotion, or any other office perk, only because of your skin color...
It is not descrimination to say something stupid (as he did)..
Shrug it off...let it go...life is too short to make a big deal over nothing...

The Wizard.

If your brown what's the problem? Are you embarrassed by your own skin color? Get a life girl and grow up.

Automation Wizard

Wow, are you just looking for an excuse to be angry at someone? The guy said your skin tone is pretty. Take it as the compliment it was meant to be.

You work in a professional environment. Be a professional. You are getting a lot of bad advice from people about things like complaints to HR. A professional doesn't have a chip on their shoulder about race, gender, or other issues. Don't make your race an axe to grind and start some big HR battle. Thick skin is a requirement to work in a professional environment. If he was really guilty of race discrimination you wouldn't need to ask because it would be very clear. If you start some big battle over this you will be putting a big sign on your forehead that says to everyone you work with you're willing to make a big deal over nothing and injure someones career (and your own) over it. You would also be training the people around you not to hire black people in the future.

Lexie

he is definitely wrong to say that. people act so uggghhh these days he prob didnt even think he didnt do anything wrong. you were so right for standing up for yourself and he was probably discriminating because he was jealous with your beautiful skin tone and to be "funny" which soo wasnt. GOOL LUCK with him in future :)

Sparkle

ya he was being racist ....either that or hes really ******* stupid....and dont assume people are as stupid and they try to seem to get away with rude comments...report his ***...im white as hell and over the years people have always commented on it ..and it gets annoying as ****...people are so disrespectful...sue the **** out of him if you can.... im serious

DONT LET IT GO LIKE PEOPLE ARE TELLING YOU TO...HES JUST GETTING AWAY WITH IT...IF YOU CHOOSE TO THO..AND HE DOES IT AGAIN JUST GIVE HIM A TASTE OF HIS OWN MEDICINE!!!!!!

Willie

From everything you've said, I would say that yes it's probably some form of racial dicrimination, but it also sounds as if he might in some strange way of putting it, be attracted to you, I'm not quite sure how I would take it either. Most likely some kind of discrimination ,Otherwise why bring it up? I'm mostly white,but about a third Eastern cherokee I,m fairly light complected (red haired milk white mother) but I've wondered at times why African descended people are called Black, when they are all shades of brown .I would ignore them if possible, but I have a bit of a quick temper and I believe that women need to stand up more for themselves. If this guy goes too far and presses your button,Let him know precicely where you stand!Good Luck to you!

Laughing Libra

It created a "hostile work environment". It was insulting, made you feel uncomfortable, done in front of others and lets you know that he is seeing you as a particular race rather than just a worker. It could have been done in no other reason but to insult you even if subconsciously.

Document the situation and contact your HR dept for an employee handbook. If they do not have one, look up the info on your state's Dept of Labor website.

Beige Brown Blues

this is considered sheer ignorance..and let him know that that joke has a 0 time experation date..pull your head out of the 50's (and your a/s/s) and NEVER talk to me like that again

hey if he siad that to you, why be polite to him?

if taken to court you would win ..and he would be green (sick)

a|i&0n

Considering that it was black paint, it could be considered discrimination, but I dont know if he meant anything by it

Enter Your Message or Comment

User Name:
User Email:
Post a comment: