Why Those Who Can’t Get Along Should Be Let Go

Office professionals know that part of being a professional entails being able to handle their coworkers quirks, annoying habits and idiosyncrasies. Harold Cummings in account cracks his knuckles. Anita Swanson in human resources clicks her dentures (gross!). Tim Swanson cuts his toenails in his cubicle (really gross!). Nevertheless, you are a professional, and somehow you manage to overlook these distractions that swirl around you all day and accomplish your work.

However, some coworkers cross the line of acceptability when their personal opinions publicly delve into the dark realms of racism, bigotry and general disrespect for fellow human beings for whatever reason. Not surprisingly, people with such strong viewpoints about the inferiority of others tend to lack certain intellectual faculties themselves. This article explains, “The results of this study certainly shed light on the relationship between intelligence and prejudice, but ... okay, take the racist guy at the office nobody can stand. Now you know he says the things he does because he's not all that bright to begin with, but does that make dealing with him any more pleasant? Are we supposed to feel sorry for that guy, or take it upon ourselves to try and educate him?”

It’s difficult to educate a racist person about the fallibility of their wayward logic; after all, most racism is inherited, and it’s tough for anyone to reverse a colleague’s lifetime of indoctrination and hatred during the workweek. However, that doesn’t mean that the rules of corporate professionalism can’t or shouldn’t be exercised. Though corporate culture may be stifling, it’s one saving grace may be that it demands everyone be treated equally. And for those employees who simply can’t treat everyone equally via their words and actions, then termination is certainly an option. A really, really, good option.

Have you ever had to deal with racism at your workplace? How did you handle it?

Photo courtesy of ξωαŋ ThΦt (slowly back...).