There happens to be an establishment in Chicago where if you complain about your fellow employees using racial slurs and homophobic obscenities, they only are "baffled" by the situation. Isn't that right, AnnaMarie?
Emilio's Tapas Sol y Nieve is located in Chicago's Streeterville district. The majority of the employees are of Hispanic descent. The General Manager happens to be Mexican and has that "my people are innocent" attitude.
Not only just an employee there for two weeks I received the coldest reception from a new employer... EVER! I would say "hello" and get the rolling of the eyes. Food would be snatched out of my hand when all I was doing was demonstrating teamwork. Comments toward my sexual orientation as well as African heritage were being made in the worst way.
When I confronted one manager about it, he says "just let it go. Blow it off." Excuse me?! I have been called a n*r, donkey, f*t [not to mention "stupid" by the chef! ] all in one night. [Surprise! I studied Spanish in college. I understood every word, guys! ] My work performance was unsatisfactory. Of course, after you have been treated like this.
One Saturday morning I was on the patio and a customer accidentally ordered the wrong item for his female companion that had stepped away. A fellow employee told me "hey! U! He wants tuna." I replied "excuse me?" Then he starts talking that "Gods Must Be Crazy" language and then says "did you understand that?" The manager on duty did NOTHING!
After I quit, I stopped in that Friday morning to pick up my check. The MOD did not say hello, goodbye or goodluck. He just handed me my check as if he forgot what the word "impressionable" meant.
I then contacted their corporate office and they sent me one short and sweet email saying "I am baffled by your accusations."
That was the last week of June. They have failed to follow-up on the complaint I made. I have called and emailed them and have been completely IGNORED!
No one deserves to be treated this way. It doesn't matter whether or not you're male, female, black, white, gay or straight. The working environment should enforce equal opportunity, respect and professional management skills.
Justice must and WILL be served. The Emilio's corporation should be ashamed of themselves. Hopefully in the future they will be part of the solution rather than the problem of racial and sexual orientation harassment in the workplace.
0 comments