I’ve had a lot of jobs, but I would say about on 80 percent of them I’ve experienced some form of workplace discrimination – something racist or sexist or both. Now that I think about it, I think 80 percent is too low. It’s probably more like 95 percent.
My last job, well, the one that I’m currently furloughed from was no different. I mean it’s amazing to me what people think they can get away with on these jobs. Then again, they CAN get away with it, they’ve been getting away with it.
I spent all day today, and all day yesterday writing a formal complaint against my employer. Before that I did a little research, and just really took days to brush off the nerves, push back the anxiety that comes with been there, done that. Because you see, I’ve been here, done that several times before, and each time the government agency I filed a complaint with came back saying there was no discrimination. When you’re broke, it’s hard to fight a big corporation, or a small one for that matter – basically anyone who can afford a lawyer who can find all kinds of loop holes to invalidate what you are certain is a valid case.
It’s funny though no matter how much anxiety I feel, how much I fear I’m going to look like the girl who cried discrimination, I always write a complaint, if nothing else to the human resources department at the company. I do this simply because I believe wholeheartedly that people should not have to go to work and be treated like shit, no matter how little or much you make. And even though my experience hasn’t been to the contrary, I’m always astonished at how tolerated a hostile work environment is. How overlooked it is.
So I don’t know, maybe this time my case will be dismissed again. Once more it’ll go unchecked. There’s still a small sweet smile inside my soul, knowing that I spoke up.
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