Ethics Assignment 4: Racism
This exchange of emails can most definitely have an impact on the bottom line for the company. Bringing racial stereotypes into a work environment is a delicate subject initially. Coupled with a condescending tone, and the assumption that it was indeed a minority that broke into JJs car, such accusations are very improper. A person like JJ may be a good lawyer, but if he holds that type of attitude, his ability to communicate and do business in a predominantly black/puerto rican community will be severely hindered.
These emails are troubling, and must be dealt with carefully. Obviously, you do't want to come off as a whistleblower to your boss, but hopefully you realize that such behavior is not only unethical, but potentially damging to the firm. To address this issue, I would have a private conversation with JJ, letting him know that he is doing may be riskier than he might think. Perhaps the emails were meant in jest. JJ should, however, realize the implications of what he is saying, and that they may offend someone.
I believe that you do indeed have a moral responsibility that extends beyond your professional role. However, you must determine if "fixing the world" to this small degree is worth creating friction in the workplace. Such comments are often said in private. However, putting them out in the open creates tension, and is downright disrespectful. For this reason, I would say something must be said, even if lightly, to JJ and Steph. Silence in this situation will not only change nothing, but it may even set a precedent for what is allowable as workplace banter. This is dangerous, as people may begin to test the limits seemingly set by their superiors. Saying something may put you slightly at odds as a "stick in the mud", but it also may win you respect for saying what you believe is and isn't innapropriate.
In this situation, I would use a casual, friendly, and private person-to-person approach to gently inform JJ and steph that their comments could be construed a great number of ways, and that someone may take offense, creating unnecessary tension. If the entire firm were white, chances are that there would be no severe opposition or repercussions. But, an all-white law firm is neither feasible, nor ethical. Because there will always be other ethnicities involved in the endeavors of a law firm, it's important that these slurs be addressed
These emails are troubling, and must be dealt with carefully. Obviously, you do't want to come off as a whistleblower to your boss, but hopefully you realize that such behavior is not only unethical, but potentially damging to the firm. To address this issue, I would have a private conversation with JJ, letting him know that he is doing may be riskier than he might think. Perhaps the emails were meant in jest. JJ should, however, realize the implications of what he is saying, and that they may offend someone.
I believe that you do indeed have a moral responsibility that extends beyond your professional role. However, you must determine if "fixing the world" to this small degree is worth creating friction in the workplace. Such comments are often said in private. However, putting them out in the open creates tension, and is downright disrespectful. For this reason, I would say something must be said, even if lightly, to JJ and Steph. Silence in this situation will not only change nothing, but it may even set a precedent for what is allowable as workplace banter. This is dangerous, as people may begin to test the limits seemingly set by their superiors. Saying something may put you slightly at odds as a "stick in the mud", but it also may win you respect for saying what you believe is and isn't innapropriate.
In this situation, I would use a casual, friendly, and private person-to-person approach to gently inform JJ and steph that their comments could be construed a great number of ways, and that someone may take offense, creating unnecessary tension. If the entire firm were white, chances are that there would be no severe opposition or repercussions. But, an all-white law firm is neither feasible, nor ethical. Because there will always be other ethnicities involved in the endeavors of a law firm, it's important that these slurs be addressed
posted by Aureliano at 6:50 PM
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