I have a friend, who is also a co-worker, who last year came out as a lesbian. She started out tell a few people because she was worried how people would react. As more people found out, there were some who treated her differently. She is out stationed in another office and works around people who are not part of our office. She had a very hard time because she was treated horribly. People made insulting and very discriminating remarks. It made her very uncomfortable.
She went to her supervisor had was told to “deal with it”. She was needed in the other office and to ignore them. She hates going to that other office because she feels so uncomfortable. They made her feel like she wasn’t normal and they treated her like she was not an equal.
I felt so bad for her because she was so hurt. I was also upset because everyone deserves to work in a safe environment and she was in an unsafe place. She was trying to deal with these new feelings she had plus dealing with the hateful remarks.
I believe that the Human Resources departments in both buildings should have been involved in order to make this a safe work environment. I also believe that all people involved she have been made to participate in a class on diversity.
Richelle,
ReplyDeleteI am glad your friend has your support in the work environment or I would think it would be a scary environment without one friendly face to depend on.
I"m sorry to hear about your friend. I know she must have been going through a hard time dealing with her feeling herself let along other people adding their comments and opinions of her personal life. People don't realize what people go through when they decide to "come out". The best thing is that she had you to depend on and to help her through this hard time. Times like this really shows who your true friends are and you seem to be a great one!
ReplyDeleteRichelle,
ReplyDeleteYou are absolutely correct that her supervisor and HR should have come to her assistance.I am also glad that your friend was able to depend on you. I hope things have improved for her.
Richelle,
ReplyDeleteYIKES! What a horrible situation. I agree with the others, HR needs to step in here. She's been targeted unnecessarily and it is illegal. Do you think if you suggested it to her she would go? It would obviously take alot of guts, but life is too short to be miserable at a place we spend a huge chunk of our day!
I hope your friend's work situation gets better. This could be a good opportunity for you to do some advocacy too! What if you talked to your coworkers and helped them reach a better level of understanding and empathy? Would your friend would be grateful to have someone on her side like that or is she too fearful of further action? What a sad situation.
Richelle,
ReplyDeleteI feel so bad for her, I pray it gets better for her and you are so right HR has a responsibility to do something. Maybe she should sue!
Richelle,
ReplyDeleteI have had many friends that have come out as gay or lesbian and it is so hard to see the challenges they face with the prejudices of others. I would think that legally your Human Resource Department would have to ensure her safety, sexual harrassment is not tolerated and neither should this type of behavior. It's like bullying in schools.
Richelle,
ReplyDeleteI believe is one of the problems faced by LGBTs group. They are not accepted by the society . Your HR should take up this matter because everyone should be treated with fairness and there should be no discrimination at work.
Thanks everyone! It is such a tough situation because of her being in another office that isn't part of ours. She is still working there around the same people but she does her best to ignore them and not let them bother her. (I still think something should be done!)
ReplyDeleteI was her friend before and still am. The information doesn't change what I like about her as a friend. I don't understand people!!