The company that I am working for for the summer holds an annual convention, and this year they have decided to do a “philanthropy project” for all of their members at the convention. The company wanted to work with Habitat for Humanity, but Habitat for Humanity’s chapter in the area where the convention is to take place was not able to schedule a build with them as far in advance as my company’s deadline, so my company scrapped the idea. I did some research then and came up with a volunteer organization that builds ramps to make people’s homes wheelchair accessible. I gave the idea to some people I work with who seemed enthusiastic, but then we talked about it in the meeting today, and it seems some people are less enthusiastic about it than others. First of all, the CEO said that it was a “lame” idea, that building ramps sounded like a stupid idea, and that we should do something much more impressive with a more well-known company. He said we could work with United Way or the Red Cross, but that we didn’t want our members to think we’re small-time like this small, locally based nonprofit. We couuld do anything else, as long as it was with a big company with a big name. I found out quickly that this wasn’t about doing good, it was about making a good name for ourselves. I have felt incredibly jaded with the company since, and I am glad that this is just a summer job.
What do you all do or say when a superior says something ableist or otherwise prejudice or offensive in front of you?
Oh gosh. I usually just lurk here but this one brought back memories. One of my first summer jobs, as a teenager, was working for the MOST prejudiced- against EVERY minority- people I’ve met in my entire life. He was a Vietnam vet and a Harley-riding, chain-smoking, beer-chugging caricature brought to life.
I put up with him making racial slurs about customers, ableist remarks about a child with disabilities, and even calling a teenager “f*ggot” and chasing him with a broom, because, well, I didn’t have many choices at the time– I had a horse to support and no transportation to a job in town, so working at the ranch biking distance from my house was the job I could get so I could feed my horse. As soon as I got my license and a car, I high-tailed it for a better job.
I wish I could say I stood up to this old boss of mine, but he was intimidating! I never said anything.
I think the appropriate response here, though, would be to ask later if you could have five minutes of his time, and to explain that his remark had upset you. Or, if he’s not the type of superior who will meet with the “lowly worms” who work in his office, you could try telling Human Resources that another employee made an ableist remark during a meeting and requesting that a reminder be sent around to the team about appropriate speech in the workplace.