Hotel group sued by US for racial discrimination

[We Keep Receipts 9,238]

http://finance.yahoo.com/news/hotel-group-sued-us-racial-205620002.html

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (AP) -- A hotel chain broke the law by subjecting minority employees in New Mexico, Texas and South Carolina to a hostile work environment and firing those who complained, a federal agency said.

The U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission announced Friday that it had filed suit against four Whitten Inn hotels and is seeking back pay, lost benefits and damages for workers. According to federal officials, employees endured racial slurs and derogatory comments. The agency said several workers were let go as retaliation for complaining.

The lawsuit was filed in U.S. District Court in New Mexico.

"Discriminatory policies and conduct have no place in a state as culturally rich as New Mexico or in any employment setting," said EEOC attorney Christina Vigil, who is litigating the lawsuit.

Businessman Larry Whitten created a firestorm in 2009 when workers at his Taos hotel in northern New Mexico say they were forbidden to speak Spanish and told to change their Spanish first names.

[Mr. Big Dog 10,747]

http://finance.yahoo.com/news/hotel-group-sued-us-racial-205620002.html

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (AP) -- A hotel chain broke the law by subjecting minority employees in New Mexico, Texas and South Carolina to a hostile work environment and firing those who complained, a federal agency said.

The U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission announced Friday that it had filed suit against four Whitten Inn hotels and is seeking back pay, lost benefits and damages for workers. According to federal officials, employees endured racial slurs and derogatory comments. The agency said several workers were let go as retaliation for complaining.

The lawsuit was filed in U.S. District Court in New Mexico.

"Discriminatory policies and conduct have no place in a state as culturally rich as New Mexico or in any employment setting," said EEOC attorney Christina Vigil, who is litigating the lawsuit.

Businessman Larry Whitten created a firestorm in 2009 when workers at his Taos hotel in northern New Mexico say they were forbidden to speak Spanish and told to change their Spanish first names.

Say what?

[GBCW 397]

Like asking Jorge to go by George, I imagine.

[Mr. Big Dog 10,747]

Like asking Jorge to go by George, I imagine.

Probably. That's pretty offensive, though.

[GBCW 397]

Usually, we ethnic types have the good sense to do it voluntarily.

[Teddy B 17,252]

Usually, we ethnic types have the good sense to do it voluntarily.

So AJ does stand for Alan Jones?

[Mr. Big Dog 10,747]

Usually, we ethnic types have the good sense to do it voluntarily.

If that's what you want to do, then fine. But for your employer to demand it is just wrong.

[GBCW 397]

Usually, an employer "demands" it by asking a question like, "so what can I call you?" At that point the employee knows that Mr. Jones-Smith can't or won't say his/her real name and demanding that Mr. Jones-Smith do so is a losing play. So, the employee offers up a nickname, or makes one up if one does not exist.

[aaydrian 479]

Was I the only one who found it brow raising that Larry Whitten wanted his wanted his Hispanic employees to "whiten" their names, or am I stretching?

[Mr. Big Dog 10,747]

Was I the only one who found it brow raising that Larry Whitten wanted his wanted his Hispanic employees to "whiten" their names, or am I stretching?

No, I thought that was offensive, too. But we have since learned from a trusted source that ethinc types have been whitening their names voluntarily anyways so it's not a big deal. It's time to call the ethinc types that sue over this leeches and move on.

[Karee 4,190]

It's time to call the ethinc types that sue over this leeches and move on.

[Trumplestiltskin 5,791]

Usually, an employer "demands" it by asking a question like, "so what can I call you?" At that point the employee knows that Mr. Jones-Smith can't or won't say his/her real name and demanding that Mr. Jones-Smith do so is a losing play. So, the employee offers up a nickname, or makes one up if one does not exist.

Reminds me of Samir in Office Space when people can't pronounce his surname:

"Its really not that hard - na-ghee-na-na-jar"

Edited October 6, 2014 by Hail Ming!

[B_J 2,752]

I had a Vietnamese student whose first name was Bich. I don't want to offend anyone, but I was really happy when she told me before class that she goes by the name Cindy.

[Mr. Big Dog 10,747]

Reminds me of Samir in Office Space when people can't pronounce his surname:

"Its really not that hard - na-ghee-na-na-jar"

“We’re gonna be getting rid of these people here… First, Mr. Samir Naga… Naga… Naga… Not gonna work here anymore, anyway.”

[aaydrian 479]

I had a Vietnamese student whose first name was Bich. I don't want to offend anyone, but I was really happy when she told me before class that she goes by the name Cindy.

Hate when people do that, change their name/dumb it down so others don't trip over their tongues trying to pronounce birth names or so it sounds more White and "acceptable". That Bich one is though is understandable. Does the name sound like b1tch if a Vietnamese should say it?