Fired for racist Facebook remarks

[brixton tower]

I'm glad Ericsson got rid of this racist. If she had climbed out of her car, and called that taxi driver the k-word (and a savage) she would still have her job but probably missing a few teeth, and a dislocated eye socket.

 

[Picard]

Cracker,white bread.

But that's also not that derogatory.

 

[ToxicBunny]

I'm glad Ericsson got rid of this racist. If she had climbed out of her car, and called that taxi driver the k-word (and a savage) she would still have her job but probably missing a few teeth, and a dislocated eye socket.

That I doubt... Most of the taxi drivers are all brave as long as people stay in their vehicles... The minute you get out they turn into cowards....

 

[Seriously]

I'm glad Ericsson got rid of this racist. If she had climbed out of her car, and called that taxi driver the k-word (and a savage) she would still have her job but probably missing a few teeth, and a dislocated eye socket.

Lets say I am glad another publicly open racist was fired, now the question begs how many of those racists on the other side of the fence lost their jobs because I know of none? Seems like a very one sided affair or it's clear that just one side of the coin are deemed racist.

 

[krycor]

Using the "k" word... In 2014... In South Africa... On social media...

Well then I guess you deserve ALL the backlash coming your way :/

Exactly.. A persons true nature is more prevalent with extremes.. Resorting to the K word for a taxi driver is pathetic and extremely stupid on her part. She resorted to a racial slur.. Good luck with that.

Ironically I've seen a LOT of typically dumb, young, high and mighty cpt pr people who did similar on personal accounts barely 3 yrs ago and try and justify it when I questioned them & suggested taking it down. Got away with it then but I swear the same tweet now would result in instant dismissal and a failed career.

 

[MagicDude4Eva]

I have no time for derogatory language in an office environment, but I think one always needs to look at the whole picture. Firing the woman has not achieved anything - it would have been far better from Ericsson to put her through some sensitivity training.

 

[ToxicBunny]

I have no time for derogatory language in an office environment, but I think one always needs to look at the whole picture. Firing the woman has not achieved anything - it would have been far better from Ericsson to put her through some sensitivity training.

Now that I agree with... As a business try and take corrective measures with the employee... Rather than punishing them so harshly because of a few insecure people.

 

[Stokstert]

If black people are called k******, what are white people called in derogatory terms?

White dogs as just one example, but in their language and most whites would not understand the meaning as they don't know black languages.

 

[Pavan]

Like it or not, SA is a race sensitive country. Exceptionally sensitive. Companies across the country are struggling to meet business plan targets and anything that impedes this will be dealt with accordingly. Such rash, reckless and insensitive behaviour is detrimental to businesses in South Africa and Ericsson really had no choice. The ramifications of an employee airing her racist views to the entire world are serious and do have a massive impact on the PR, brand, HR policies, current & future sales pipeline and several other facets of the company.

She is racist. She is impulsive and rash. She advocates violence. She brings the companies values into disrepute. The only option was the one taken...

 

[R13...]

It is only derogatory if you are insecure enough to be all offended and start crying about what other people say regarding a random property of your appearance that you have no control over

And so they begin to rationalise. It is not so much the word as where it originates and represented.

 

[DA-LION-619]

This is why I don't use Twitter. People probably Googled her and found her LinkedIn profile and then went on a man hunt, which is unfair but she should of known better. Hope she gets her job back.

 

[Shayd]

I was at a workshop once where the labour people told us a company can easily fire you for bringing the company into disrepute by the mere fact that you are associated with the company in a case like this.

Yup this is exactly why I have no Facebook or Twitter account. My only social media presence is this forum and on here I have yet to disclose who I work for.

 

[Picard]

White dogs as just one example, but in their language and most whites would not understand the meaning as they don't know black languages.

So why don't you give us some context?

 

[w1z4rd]

I think if you are going to be a professional. You should be able to act it, and know where that line is online.

 

[Sinbad]

I'd like to see equivalent consequences for racist statements made by non whites.

 

[Bona Botse]

I'd like to see equivalent consequences for racist statements made by non whites.

Can you show examples of where non-whites acted in a similar manner and didn't face the same consequences?

 

[Sinbad]

Can you show examples of where non-whites acted in a similar manner and didn't face the same consequences?

Blade nzimande today.
Numerous dubul 'ibhunu singers
Pretty much any post on any political party website is guaranteed to have at least one guy demanding that the white dogs be chased into the sea in the comments.
Etc

 

[Dubes]

Being called a derogatory term...meh, I've been called many things and now damage has been done.

It fascinates me how much power black folk give to a word. A mere word. It's the same as ni**er in the US. If the reaction to the word wasn't as over the top then it'd lose all it's power. The power comes from the reaction to the word.

Someone can call you a d*ck or a p*ssy, or anything similar, and you'll probably hear nothing more of it, but call a black a n*gger in the US or a k*ffir here...

 

[Dubes]

Can you show examples of where non-whites acted in a similar manner and didn't face the same consequences?

I see it all time on Twitter and in the media . The "problem" is that the insults are a lot more subtle by black folk but equally insulting. Think of the use of the word "colonialists" when referring to white South Africans. Think of articles by prominent black "social commentators" referring to "white guilt". Think of politicians telling white folk to "go back where they came from" if they not happy with the crime situation here. Think of politicians singing songs referring to "kill the boer". Think of the references to a political party being too white. What is too white anyway!

But yeah, all of these are ok, but not the uttering of the word k*ffir in anger.

Personal experiences? I raised my concerns about tarring all whites with the same brush on Twitter. You want to know the types of responses I got? Ones like this?



Suddenly because I was defending whites and pointing out the racism being shown by people of colour I was labelled a racist and threatened. But I'm white, so I "deserve" it apparently. And apparently being called a white ***** is acceptable. Now if I had responded and called him a k*ffir you'd no doubt be reading about me in the paper... Double standards!

 

[SSung]

Imagine you've put many years, lots of blood, sweat and tears into your own very successful company, let's call it SSung Inc, that has a generally very positive reputation.

Then one day while reading the news before getting to the office, you hear that some person went and tweeted the K-word for some or other reason. Oh, said person is a project manager at SSung Inc.

You get to work and your office is inundated with calls, emails and Facebook and Twitter messages asking what kind of people your company employs. There're talks of a boycott even.

What do you do?

I tell them to eat $hit. 'çoz in my scenario:

Working & private life [are] protected as legally separate [...].

Now here's a scenario for you:

I pay some good for money to dig something tasty out of your past (online &/ offline)...maybe a joke you made about Bafana Bafana or Malema...maybe an offhand comment about the crime rate or squatters. I pay some more cash for some online activists to see what they can do 'promote' your views to many people as possible...now maybe you're self-employed so you don't have to worry about your job, but maybe we can evict your mother from her nursing home? Where do your kids go to school? Are you sure you need your insurance & medical aid?

Far worse has happened to some people...