Ask Me Help Desk - Being a minority?

Being a minority?

Well at the risk of sounding racist, here I go.

I am currently employed in a temporary supposed to be leading to permanent position at a wonderful vet office on the reserve. I am white. My boss just informed me that they would like to have an aboriginal at the front desk. As soon as they find an eligible candidate, this leaves me with out a job. Now aboriginals are the minority. So when they look for jobs off reserve, they are the first ones picked (even if they are not as qualified as say a white person). Now on reserve, they have the first pick over a job as well. If they were to look at jobs off reserve, and were told that they wanted to hire a white person first, this would be racist and wrong. But I am basically being told that I can not hold my position here because I am white. How is this fair?

I feel like being a white woman with an education, and loads of experience in a professional setting such as office admin or reception positions, I am at the bottom of the totem pole, excuse the pun :rolleyes:
How and why is this fair? This job has been advertized for MONTHS now, and I was hired because I was the most qualified person, now I have to step down to a person with less qualifications than me only because of her skin colour? Haven't we moved past this? I am so confused and hurt. Anyone have any answers for me?

It's called Positive Discrimination and very sad it is as well.

Whatever happened to employing the best available person for a job without using that as some box checking exercise.

I would be interested to see this actually justified. I want to see fairness and equality for minorities as much as any other conscious-minded person... but I hardly think picking someone with fewer qualifications and experience based on the color of their skin is fair and equal. It's racist.

I'm sorry you are going through this Bella :(. It is extremely frustrating and I'm just going to call it unfair as well. Hugs!

Don't get me started on Miss Black America, or Black History Month!

Do you know what would happen if we proposed a Miss WHITE America? Or a Polish History Month?

I don't have any answers for you other than they have to meet a quota so that they don't get cited for discrimination.

I feel used and hurt. I feel that I was good enough to hold this position while no one else wanted it, but now I am suddenly not good enough. I too want to see equal rights all around, but to be equal shouldn't we be taking skin colour out of the picture all together?

How can I continue to stay here and wait to be replaced? Is that just my ego getting in the way of my priorities? (bill paying etc... ) I really don't want to lose this job, it's my dream job. Ugg.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Aurora_Bell

now I have to step down to a person with less qualifications than me only because of her skin colour? Haven't we moved past this? I am so confused and hurt. Anyone have any answers for me?

Hello Bella:

The only way to find out is to have the issue adjudicated... For that to happen, somebody has to sue. Why not you? Hopefully, the added advantage you'd have, is that I doubt they'd fire you while the case moves through the courts...

Why don't you visit a local civil rights or employment solicitor?

excon

Sue? Hmm that never even crossed my mind, but I don't think I have the qualifications I.E the MONEY or the smarts to sue How would I find a civil rights or employment solicitor in my area?

Quote:

Originally Posted by Aurora_Bell

Sue? Hmm that never even crossed my mind

That's because us canucks don't have that mentality :). One of my staff members at my work is an aboriginal and has projects that are way above her severe lack of technical knowledge, I usually end up organizing everything. She is basically untouchable due to her 'status'.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Aurora_Bell

but I don't think I have the qualifications I.E the MONEY or the smarts to sue How would I find a civil rights or employment solicitor in my area?

Hello again, Bella:

You had the smarts to explain your situation to us. I don't know why you couldn't do that in front of a lawyer. Google lawyers or look in the yellow pages. They won't charge you for the initial interview.

excon

NK, what would you do?

Exy, I have just emailed a civil rights lawyer my questions. I don't think I want to sue anyone, I just want my job.

Ex,
It's a little different in canada, especially in smaller communities. We aren't sue-happy here. Sometimes bringing up a lawsuit like this gets you labeled a certain way and everybody ends up knowing about it.

This is true NK, it's rare for a someone to sue anyone. I know this sounds funny, but my aunt slipped and broke her hip on a wet floor at a super market, it wasn't marked that the floors were wet, well the office manager offered her free groceries for a year, and my aunt was over joyed with this. She never shops anywhere else.

You know I really don't want to sue, I just want my job. Isn't this reverse discrimination? I just want answers as to how and why this is right.

Quote:

Originally Posted by NeedKarma

It's a little different in canada, especially in smaller communities. We aren't sue-happy here. Sometimes bringing up a lawsuit like this gets you labeled a certain way and everybody ends up knowing about it.

Hello NK:

First off, I thought she was in Australia...

In any case, I never filed a lawsuit because I thought I would be liked or not. I filed it because my RIGHTS were being violated.. If somebody doesn't like it, screw 'em.

excon

Quote:

Originally Posted by Aurora_Bell

NK, what would you do?

In my case my job isn't on the line. In your case if you do lose your job you may have a wrongful dismissal action available to you. Two things get in the way of that: your temp contract stipulations and any other laws surrounding working on a reserve that I likely don't know about.

Exy, did you miss this? ▌♥ ▌Proud to be Canadian ▌♥ ▌ :)

At any rate, I appreciate your advice and have made contact with a CR here in my area. I basically said what I posted above.

Quote:

Originally Posted by NeedKarma

In my case my job isn't on the line. In your case if you do lose your job you may have a wrongful dismissal action available to you. Two things get in the way of that: your temp contract stipulations and any other laws surrounding working on a reserve that I likely don't know about.

I think that's my biggest brick wall.

Quote:

Originally Posted by excon

. I filed it because my RIGHTS were being violated.. If somebody doesn't like it, screw 'em.

The emplyer sadly may be within their rights to terminate her if her temp contract allows it. It's easy to say "screw 'em" when you live in a large city, not so when you get labeled a "troublemaker" in a small town. If the case is solid based on the law and her contract then by all means go for it. Otherwise it's at her discretion.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Aurora_Bell

Exy, did you miss this? ▌♥ ▌Proud to be Canadian ▌♥ ▌

Hello again, Bella:

Yup. What can I say?

excon

What if we took the temp contract and the fact I am already employed out of the picture and I based my complaint solely on the fact I am not being hired because I am white? Surly reserve or not, this can't be right? After all we hire aboriginals off reserve. What's good for the goose...

I can't imagine anyone here knowing the law surrounding that. It's definetely for a labour lawyer familiar with aboriginal affairs.

Hello again,

I don't know WHO has rights here and WHO doesn't. That's why you visit a lawyer. Once you do, and he takes your case, HE decides how to prosecute it. You only need the smarts to find the right lawyer, and let him take it from there...

In terms of fighting for your rights in a small town, or not, after due consideration, I wouldn't care WHAT people thought of me, as long as I thought WELL of myself, and I don't think WELL of myself when I LET my rights get trampled on, and do NOTHING about it.

But, that's just me.

excon

Bella, so your clinic is ON the reserve? Definitely check out what the "rules" are because your boss may be without any options, and HAS to hire an aboriginal.

Despite all that, I say turn in a brilliant cover letter and resume, and say you want to interview for the permanent position. Be sure to highlight how marvelous you've been to stick there temporarily for the last FOUR years. That=dedication, passion, and experience.

Thank you Southy, and I think I have just the cover letter at hand ;)

Yes the clinic is on reserve, and I have done some checking as to hiring rights, and from what I have been told they are not obligated to hire an aboriginal.

Exy, I do admire your ability to stand up for yourself, but in this town if you make waves with one company no one will want to hire again. This leave my job opportunities very limited. I have contacted a CR and asked the same questions. I have a wonderful cover letter Southy has helped me compose, and I intend to submit my resume and cover letter once again. Even though I have already been hired and soon to be fired because of my colour.

Bella, are you sure you understood your boss correctly or have the full picture. Are they talking about replacing you and putting you out the door or moving you into another position and filling your current one?

What as close as you can remember was actually said? Did your boss say, 'we are finding someone to take your job start looking for a new one' or was it more along the lines of 'the next receptionist we hire should be x'?

Just to clarify, I have temped in this office for the past 4 years, mainly answering phones when receptionist was off sick.

I have no other qualifications to work in the clinic so I am not sure where else they would put me unless it was to be a janitor. I am only qualified to do the job they have hired me for, the one they want an aboriginal for.

This is as close as I can get for word to word. Since this company is on reserve and funded by INAC (aboriginal funding) we would like to give an aboriginal the opportunity for this position. Hiring with in the community.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Aurora_Bell

Just to clarify, I have temped in this office for the past 4 years, mainly answering phones when receptionist was off sick.

Do you even have an employment contract then?

Here's some reading for you: : at will : Employment & Human Rights Law In Canada
http://www.mcmillan.ca/Upload/McMill...yment_0110.pdf
But all bets may be off on a reserve.

Thanks NK, I'll have a look over it. I guess I already feel defeated. Anyone hiring or want to give me a glowing recommendation? :p

Quote:

Originally Posted by Aurora_Bell

Thanks NK, I'll have a look over it. I guess I already feel defeated. Anyone hiring or wanna give me a glowing recommendation? :p

We need a night shift L&D nurse! :p

I'll do it! Lol

I will relate a story that happened some years ago, I was a manager for a department with the US Justice Dept.

I had a opening to fill, ( actually I had an opening to fill three different times) I had one man who worked already within the department and was already trained with experience for the job we were hiring.

First time I had to hire a person because of their sex
Second time I had to hire a person because of their race
Third time I had to hire someone due to a "deal with another agency for a problem employee to settle a law"

So three times this great employee already trained was not hired for various reasons

I have to admit that I only read the first 2 pages of posts. Sorry if I'm repeating anything, or totally off topic to where this post may have gone.

Bella, I too am in Canada, as you know.

One thing I've learned in my 25 plus years in the work force, document everything.

I had a somewhat similar thing happen to me. I used to work in insurance, I was a commercial Auto underwriter. Well, the company I worked for bought out another company, and the employees of that company were being integrated into ours. There were two people doing the job I was doing, me, and someone far less qualified. I knew the ins and outs of every position in my section, because I started from the bottom and worked my way up. I did data entry, typing, made the forms on the computer system, and did underwriting. My big mistake, I got pregnant, and I was stupid enough to tell my manager, who told the CEO of the company.

I was actually called into the office and told "We want you, you're the more qualified of the two choices we have, but.....you're pregnant, due in September, and we need someone here for year end in December, so you're getting a severance package instead, and we're letting you go. But, when you're done your maternity leave, call us".

My situation turned out okay. I had Jared, got my 4 months mat leave, got another year of severance (full pay and benefits), and still get calls to this day (almost 13 years later) asking me when I'm coming back.

Still, it was discrimination. I didn't sue because I ended up getting the better end of the deal in the long run.

Document everything Bella. If your boss actually told you that you may loose your job because you're not aboriginal, then that's a reason to sue. Don't sue if you just want to keep your job, because it may end up that you will keep your job, but working for someone you sued, won't end well. Only sue if you want to see justice done, but don't plan on keeping the job after. You would win, but your life at work would be hell.

Just my opinion, and experience.

Love you, and so sorry you're facing this. :(

Thanks Alty. I am going to wait it out a few more days. See this all came to light when I asked when they would be training me on some of the other tasks they told me I would be responsible for. I found it funny that I have been sitting in a back office answering phones bit NOTHING else. I finished the HAST early Monday and eas left literally playing on FB and on AMHD for the rest of the week. I walked around to the rest of the staff asked if there was anything I could do, took initiative by cleaning cages and the exam rooms with out being asked.

I finally asked when I could start weighing the dogs, doing the nails and some of the other tasks and they kept saying "on another day". Then it all (kinda) came out. I don't know what to think, but I am going to see how this week goes and make my decision from there.

I really hope it all works out Bella. I know how happy you were to get this job. Heck, this job messed up our visit! I know that only your dream job would have done that. I know how much this job means to you.

I wish I had something to add, something concrete to tell you so you could make sure this doesn't end badly. I can only tell you to document everything. If they come right out and say that you may lose the job because you're white, then you can sue their arses off, but I'd only do that if you actually lose the job.

I know it's hard waiting around for something that may happen. I'd tell them how much this job means to you, and keep doing things to prove your worth, things they don't ask you to do. If you have time during the day, shadow the people that are doing what you want to do. Learn by watching, take the initiative, learn without them training you. Hopefully by showing them that you're a go getter, they won't ask you to go.

Fingers crossed sweetie.

Hugs and love your way. :)

Well I am a bit confused today :s They have me doing pay roll. I don't know what to think. I walked into one of the offices and the two Barbs were talking and then they stopped and waited for me to leave before they continued. Of course they were probably talking about something totally different, but after being told I am going to be replaced is making me a bit uneasy.

Political correctness... is just another name for reverse racism.

And racism is still racism no matter what color you paint it... or how you try to justify it.

Oh this is definitely reverse discrimination, no way around that. But is it legal, that's the question I am waiting to hear back.

Yeah... I know what you are saying... that's why I call it what it really is... racism. They don't like hearing that... because the politically correct crowd think racism is OK and fine as long as they call it something else.

Wrong, wrong on so many levels...

You aren't the only one Bella, there's a guy at V's work who is only getting paid $10 an hour (the rest of the boys are on $20) because he is too fat.
I was livid when I found that out, his weight does not affect his ability to do his job.

There are also about 20 security companies in my state at the moment under investigation for under paying their workers... you know how V's boss dodged the bullet? He doesn't pay employees, he hires them as contractors.

Bottom line is... bosses are a$$holes, they will do anything to make more money, and if he thinks having an aboriginal on the front desk will improve business there's nothing that will stop him. Won't take much for him to say "oh well Bella just wasn't doing her job well enough".
I'd ask for a GLOWING reference and go elsewhere sweetie.