Bank of America clerk fired for rant saying black people 'should go back to Africa'

originally posted by: kaylaluv
a reply to: enlightenedservant

That is a very good point, and I think you are correct. The bank has a right to look out for its own interest.

Yep. It wouldn't make sense for them to risk their image and clients over something that most likely violated their company policy.

While I disagree with any attack on freedom of speech, I understand the bank's decision to get rid of her. In this particular case. I do however kind of feel sorry for her in the sense that she must be going through some pretty bad personal issues to openly and publicly vent such derogatory comments about black people. It definitely seems like a "brain-snap" moment.

Nonetheless, if you are willing to look at the incident objectively and without bias, you can determine from the details given that her actions were stupid: she would have been aware that others in her country have been fired for saying less, that her occupation was visible on her FB page, and that social media is swarming with people actively seeking to find offence and punish those who share non-PC views.

The higher-ups at the bank had their hands tied the moment people associated her comments and her employer's identity together.

originally posted by: trollz

originally posted by: ScepticScot

originally posted by: trollz

originally posted by: ScepticScot

originally posted by: trollz

originally posted by: ScepticScot

originally posted by: trollz

originally posted by: DAVID64
What you say and what you do, outside of work, is absolutely none of your employers business.

I've always found it funny that the US is made out to be like the pinnacle of freedom, and yet people can be fired because of what they believe or say in their personal lives. That's not freedom. We aren't free.

Freedom for your employer to think your an (insert t&c violation here) and not want to employ you.

Being a racist is rightly not protected under employment law.

She has every right to have racist beliefs. It's no different than believing everyone else is an evil sinner who is going to hell because they don't worship your particular god - which IS protected by employment law.

She has every right to what ever beliefs she wants but her employer still has every right to fire her.

Even religious protections aren't absolute and if your religious beliefs interfered with your job (say calling customers sinners) then they have every right to fire you for that.

I understand what you're saying, but DID her beliefs interfere with her job? Did bank customers see her rant? Just because she felt the way she did, didn't mean she was going to work and being an ***hole to black customers. As long a she was doing her job in a professional manner and keeping her beliefs at home, I don't see a problem.
Everyone should have the freedom to express their honest thoughts. Nobody should have to fear being honest with their friends and family on Facebook or whatever social network they use.

It wasn't a message to family or friends or it wouldn't be an issue. It is the equivalent of handing out racist pamphlets..

So if she was handing out pamphlets telling people to give to the poor, would you still say the bank should be allowed to fire her for it?

Not in a civilized society.

Im not sure what youre defending... or how xan you try to pull technicalities out of this. Of all the tragedies which ensue after people get 'too deep' in just 'beliefs'. Actions not only speak lourder than words, they are often preceded by just words...

I wonder what native Americans think of that story..or every time a white tells another non white to go home...

originally posted by: trollz

originally posted by: ScepticScot

originally posted by: trollz

originally posted by: ScepticScot

originally posted by: trollz

originally posted by: ScepticScot

originally posted by: trollz

originally posted by: DAVID64
What you say and what you do, outside of work, is absolutely none of your employers business.

I've always found it funny that the US is made out to be like the pinnacle of freedom, and yet people can be fired because of what they believe or say in their personal lives. That's not freedom. We aren't free.

Freedom for your employer to think your an (insert t&c violation here) and not want to employ you.

Being a racist is rightly not protected under employment law.

She has every right to have racist beliefs. It's no different than believing everyone else is an evil sinner who is going to hell because they don't worship your particular god - which IS protected by employment law.

She has every right to what ever beliefs she wants but her employer still has every right to fire her.

Even religious protections aren't absolute and if your religious beliefs interfered with your job (say calling customers sinners) then they have every right to fire you for that.

I understand what you're saying, but DID her beliefs interfere with her job? Did bank customers see her rant? Just because she felt the way she did, didn't mean she was going to work and being an ***hole to black customers. As long a she was doing her job in a professional manner and keeping her beliefs at home, I don't see a problem.
Everyone should have the freedom to express their honest thoughts. Nobody should have to fear being honest with their friends and family on Facebook or whatever social network they use.

It wasn't a message to family or friends or it wouldn't be an issue. It is the equivalent of handing out racist pamphlets..

So if she was handing out pamphlets telling people to give to the poor, would you still say the bank should be allowed to fire her for it?

Not even close to being equivalent. Would you like to try again?

originally posted by: DAVID64
Did the woman say something stupid, Oh hell yes. Did she deserve to lose her job, No.
What you say and what you do, outside of work, is absolutely none of your employers business. As long as you do your job and do it right, it doesn't matter if you're a hooker or a volunteer for the homeless in your time off. Because of social media, companies have taken to thinking that every aspect of your life is their's for the taking.

Not true. If she is a public face of the company (which she is/was) then any public outburst will be associated with that company. Within the law do what you want and yes the company can't do anything. If you break or nearly break the law and thus bring your employers reputation into question by association then yes the employer can fire you especially in a case like this. The employee is clearly an interface between the public (that consists of "n.gg.ers who should go back to africa") and her employee. She is not fit for the job!!!

I've been to the states many times and you are a racist country. The attitude of white people to black people in queues at Disney was appalling. I get the very distinct opinion that racism is on the increase masquerading as "an opinion".

a reply to: kaylaluv

No, actually, all they had to do was put out a public statement disagreeing with her opinion, but acknowledging her Right to have one.
I would have much more respect for a company that did that, vs toeing the politically correct line.
Not that I have any for BOA to begin with.

a reply to: odzeandennz

Imagine a Christian nurse caring for a Muslim or a Buddhist or whatever other version of "God" that doesn't match their's.
"Till those beliefs become actions"

Every time you go to a restaurant or a movie theater or any sort of business, you're ultimately going to be in contact with people who have beliefs or opinions different from your own, some that may even offend you. People need to understand that sometimes, yes, people do believe different things. If, for example I was Asian and I find out that the ticket person at the local theater who sold me my movie ticket said on his personal Facebook that he hates Asians, am I going to stop going to the movie theater? No, that's ridiculous. I'd understand that some people are different than me and believe different things. That ticket seller is not the movie theater, he's an individual human being.
I've faced tons of discrimination in my life. I know what it's like. For example, I tried to apply for a job at a certain business and the supervisor and manager both made derogatory comments to me. The owner of the business actually apologized to me for their actions and offered to travel to that location to interview me personally. Am I going to look badly at that business? No. I'll just realize that those two particular employees are idiots. If I need to go to the business to purchase what it sells, nothing is stopping me from doing that. Should they be fired? No, because you'd have to fire just about everybody in the working world.
I was bullied and/or physically assaulted on an almost daily basis as a teenager, even with some teachers and staff getting in on it, and you know what everyone told me? They told me to deal with it, grow up, ignore it, be the mature person, etc etc. And I did. God forbid you tell that to an adult though, apparently adults are so emotionally frail that they can't use a business if an employee makes a personal Facebook post that they disagree with.

this all comes down to how only white people can be racist to black people but not the other way around.
well thats how it is in America now anyway.

get some balls back Americans, your the laughing stock of the planet.

a reply to: DAVID64

It's not political correctness to be concerned with losing possibly half your business due to your employee's actions. Putting out a statement without firing her might not be enough to keep that business. Besides, there may be African Americans working there, causing unneeded tensions that the bank is now going to have to deal with. Not too many employers want to deal with a troublesome employee, which is exactly what this woman has become.

a reply to: enlightenedservant

not sure about the greater metropolis area)

Being in the "outskirts" , it runs about the same in the larger cities.You are correct . That would be a massive loss to BoA.

Sometimes I think people forget that most of us don't go to protest movements and rallies

I would agree for any sector of the populace of Georgia . Just doesnt have the appeal in mostly peaceful Georgia

Ugh. I didn't know people still talked that way. If it was my bank, I wouldn't be able to get her out of there fast enough.
She can take her racist tirade and move on out the door.

a reply to: odzeandennz

what if she was a nurse at childrens hospital and not a bank...imagine what those 'just beliefs could have manifested into...

No problem, the "Hypothetical division of the Pre-Thought-Crime department" will handle it.

People hate blacks for being black ,and hate them for being hated. What a way to live life... imagine a black parent explaining what a post like that means.

This seems to be an opinion attempting to invoke a sympathetic emotional response that may or may not have anything to do with the woman in question.

I wonder what her story is.

a reply to: Gothmog

I support many movements and protest groups, but I generally think marches are outdated. My grandparents' generation marched because they literally couldn't vote, run for office, or even be on juries. My parents' generation marched when they were in college, then helped implement integration and change the system from within. Now we can vote, run for office, and be a part of every section in the political system. So I prefer to work through those channels and I actively encourage others to do the same.

Short version: Oil companies and defense contractors don't have to march to get their needs met, so why should citizens? They fund focus groups, start political action committees, hire lobbyists, and fund like-minded politicians to get their needs implemented. Citizens should do the same, especially since that seems to be the only thing that works.

a reply to: enlightenedservant
Sound as if I was part of your grandparent's generation . I almost thought you were saying that we did not accomplish anything . Our generation got a lot changed for the better. But times have changed and require different strategies
Yes I was probably there.Notice how sometimes instead of the devil , I end my post with "Peace"
Peace

originally posted by: kaylaluv

originally posted by: trollz

originally posted by: ScepticScot

originally posted by: trollz

originally posted by: ScepticScot

originally posted by: trollz

originally posted by: ScepticScot

originally posted by: trollz

originally posted by: DAVID64
What you say and what you do, outside of work, is absolutely none of your employers business.

I've always found it funny that the US is made out to be like the pinnacle of freedom, and yet people can be fired because of what they believe or say in their personal lives. That's not freedom. We aren't free.

Freedom for your employer to think your an (insert t&c violation here) and not want to employ you.

Being a racist is rightly not protected under employment law.

She has every right to have racist beliefs. It's no different than believing everyone else is an evil sinner who is going to hell because they don't worship your particular god - which IS protected by employment law.

She has every right to what ever beliefs she wants but her employer still has every right to fire her.

Even religious protections aren't absolute and if your religious beliefs interfered with your job (say calling customers sinners) then they have every right to fire you for that.

I understand what you're saying, but DID her beliefs interfere with her job? Did bank customers see her rant? Just because she felt the way she did, didn't mean she was going to work and being an ***hole to black customers. As long a she was doing her job in a professional manner and keeping her beliefs at home, I don't see a problem.
Everyone should have the freedom to express their honest thoughts. Nobody should have to fear being honest with their friends and family on Facebook or whatever social network they use.

It wasn't a message to family or friends or it wouldn't be an issue. It is the equivalent of handing out racist pamphlets..

So if she was handing out pamphlets telling people to give to the poor, would you still say the bank should be allowed to fire her for it?

What a silly argument. Advocating giving to the poor wouldn't hurt the bank, so why would they want to fire her for that? What if she handed out pamphlets telling people that the bank she worked for was crap and people should take their money out and put it in another bank - do you think the bank should be allowed to fire her then? After all, it's just her personal belief. If you were in charge, would you fire her for handing out pamphlets like that about your bank?

It happens all of the time.. So the answer to his question?


iTruthSeeker

a reply to: Sremmos80

I know my husband is white and he's as lazy as the day is long. Is that racist?

a reply to: iTruthSeeker

Okay, I'll answer the question. If the employee is shirking her responsibilities by spending the day passing out pamphlets rather than working her assigned shift, then yes, the bank should fire her.

originally posted by: mojoharry
a reply to: tommo39
"Do something with your lives and your children's lives."

Can't argue with that.

Can't argue that? Are you serious? Trust me when I tell you this, most black people are not your stereotypical, "hood" , welfare recipients, contrary to what seems to be the consensus on this site as of late.