Training Briefs® Go Back to Where You’re From!

Title VII of the Civil Rights Act lays out specific protections for all employees. Racial, ethnic and religious epithets and other expressions of bias are more common than we realize. Organizations must protect their employees and make it clear that these behaviors are unacceptable wherever they come from, including customers.

When racial inequity or bigotry impacts an employee, the organization must step in and take corrective action. Whether its co-workers, customers or the public, organizations have a clear responsibility to protect their employees. Employees need to know what to do in these situations. Managers and supervisors need to be proactive in their support of employees, anticipate potential problems and step in if these situations occur.  Any corrective action taken must be timely, must end the behavior and prevent its recurrence, and must not result in reprisal against the employee. Addressing racial inequity and bias means paying attention to disruptive, distracting, or disrespectful behaviors that could lead to a hostile environment.