Black Folks & Getting Fired

Have you ever been fired? (Do not include true lay-offs.)

Yes. Once or twice

 

 5

Yes. More times than I care to count.

 

 1

No.

 

 10

I've been doing the HR thing since 1989 (the start of my senior year in high school)....dang, that's almost 20 years!

One thing I've noticed over the years is, as Steve Harvey said, "Black folks & White folks take getting fired differently."

Personally, I have never (thank you Jesus) been fired from a job. I've only worked in 3 places in the last 19 years & I was laid-off once (in 1995) due to corporate buy-out.

Keep in mind, as you read along, Missouri is an "at-will" state. This means that both the employee and employer can end the employment relationship at any time and for any reason, as long as it is not discrimination under the Civil Rights Act.

I've been in my present position almost 10 years (12 years total with the company) & I think I've {almost} seen it all.

What perplexes me most is, that while there are only 12 Black people (myself & 2 directors included); 2 Hispanics & 1 Asian out of 200+ staff members, when "we" get fired it's a conspiracy. When the white folks are fired, they ask why, shed tears & they leave, most times peacefully.

Our company policy dictates that we allow an employee to collect their personal belongings while we wait. In the process, we also retrieve any company property, i.e., keys, electronics, etc.

I must state that I've never had an issue with anyone: black, white, blue or green. We on the other hand, act like we didn't see it coming. I'm talking total shock & awe. Let's be honest here. How many times do you think you have to be warned, put on probation, etc., before you get the axe?

When we tell our sides of the story, {and y'all know there's more than one-side to the story} we have a tendency to appear as total & complete victims of "the man". While I am fully aware that blatant prejudice, racism, classism, etc., exists, this is not always the case.

What about the poor work performance? What about management & clientele who refuse to work with you? What about the negative & sometimes outright rude attitude? What about the attendance & tardiness? What about you thinking they won't fire you because they are afraid of a lawsuit? What about the fully documented files kept?

These days, most employers are smart enough to have their ducks in a row before firing anyone. So before you side with KeeKee or Man-Man about allegedly getting fired over being late once or twice, ask her/him a few of the questions posed above. I can almost guarantee the reply will start something like, "See, what had happened was......"

Bottom line is - have your shit in order before you cry foul. If you really believe your being fired was unjust, there's a whole sea of sue-happy attorneys who are more than willing to listen to you. 9 times out of 10 the alleged victims will not pursue legal action simply because they already know why they are out of a job.

Any questions?