Questions for Discussion
1. Identify and describe the specific issues Maalick encountered in the workplace.
Do the actions of other workers at Treton represent discrimination and harassment? What elements of law are important for Treton to consider The specific issues Maalick encountered were harassment and racial discrimination in the workplace. After his initiation to the religion, Maalick returned to his office to find it decorated with dolls and pins. Additionally, a picture of Africa was put in his office decorated with strange symbols and lettering. The employees were obviously playing a cruel joke on Maalick and insulting him for his beliefs. According to the Treton Communications Anti-Discrimination/Diversity/Harassment Policy outlined in the case study “Harassment is defined as unwelcome verbal or physical conduct based on race, color, religion, sex (including same-gender harassment and gender identity harassment), national origin, age, disability or retaliation. Harassment becomes unlawful when:
1) Enduring the offensive conduct becomes a condition of continued employment, or;
2) The conduct is severe or pervasive enough to create a work environment that a reasonable person would consider intimidating, hostile or abusive” (Combs, 2009, pg. 6)
After reviewing the company’s policy, these actions clearly represent harassment and racial discrimination. It is also important to consider what the law says about harassment and/or discrimination. Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, which prohibits employment discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex and national origin, has become the cornerstone for the development of equal and civil rights in the workplace (Woodward, 2013).
2. Evaluate the actions of the HR director, Marta Ford, in response to Maalick’s situation. What could she have done to prevent the situation and what more could she do to ensure that this type of situation would not occur in the future The HR Director,…