Employee made racist remark - is it okay to let co-worker handle it? 02-01-2006

One of our employees made a racist remark about a customer to another employee. This employee is very uncomfortable as she is also of minority. She went to our VP and he told her to speak to the person and let her know how uncomfortable she was about the comment, however the employee is so uncomfortable with her now and doesn't think she could face the employee who made the remark. What are your suggestions?

Rita Risser replies:

This was not handled the right way at all. When an employee makes a racist remark - about anyone - that should be a violation of company policy. Company policy is supposed to be enforced by the company, not the co-worker. You, as HR Manager, should instigate appropriate disciplinary action for the employee who made the remark. It might only be a documented oral warning, but this should be dealt with officially.

Good luck.

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