Harassment In The Work Place

It is one thing to have a diversity policy in the workplace, it is another thing to have a culture of diversity.

Transgender city worker dismayed by intolerance
By Brian Meyer
Updated: 08/10/08 12:06 PM

Camille S. Hopkins, who was the first person in city government to openly transition from male to female, is moving out of state.

The person who made history six years ago by becoming the first city employee to openly transition from male to female in the workplace has never found a burning cross outside her home.

The acts of bigotry and intolerance have been more subtle — but every bit as disheartening, said Camille Stephanie Hopkins.

Crude notes have been slipped under her office door. She hears giggles — sometimes sarcastic whistles — as she walks the halls. When elevator doors open, friendly chatter often turns into an icy hush.

“It hurts, because in some people’s eyes, I’m a freak,” she said.
…
Mayor Byron W. Brown and Community Services Commissioner Tanya Perrin-Johnson — Hopkins’ boss — both dispute Hopkins’ claims.
“We set the tone around here that discrimination in any form will not be tolerated,” Brown said. “We respected the diversity of this community, and we have reflected that diversity in how our government is being managed.”
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Perrin-Johnson also disputed Hopkins’ claim that the city has not provided sensitivity training. A nationally known expert from Michigan was brought in a year-and-a-half ago and held sessions for 600 city employees.
The city’s chief advocate against bigotry and prejudice said the city must continue to offer diversity training.
“But it’s hard to overcome individuals’ ignorance,” said Crystal J. Rodriguez, executive director of Buffalo’s Commission on Citizens’ Rights and Community Relations. “Sometimes, no amount of training can change that.”

All that training is nice, but you have to adopt a culture of tolerance. Let me ask this question; if it was a woman who was getting the notes and the comments behind her back, what would you call it? Or if an African-American went to get in the elevator and when the doors open, friendly chatter often turns into an icy hush; what would be done? All the training in the world will not stop it unless the managers and supervisors create a climate were everyone knows that that type of behavior will not be tolerated.