HR’s HR problem A P.T. Barnum quote posted to a manager’s door in City Hall struck African-American employees as insensitive by Scott thomaS anderSon
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Two years after drawing fire from the NAACP AAELC representatives did not return for alleged discrimination, the city of calls or emails for further comment. However, Sacramento’s human resources department is their message to the city manager had in fact again being accused of having a human resources acknowledged that the incident might have problem. been unintentional, but stressed a broader The latest dust-up for city HR officials concern about how such a meme could appear came in September when the African American for any length of time on the director of human Employee Leadership Council, or AAELC, resources’ door. emailed City Manager Howard Chan. AALEC “Posting it shows a lack of judgment,” was formed to advocate for the fair treatment AAELC told Chan. of black employees at City Hall, who comprise The employee group then raised a only a small percentage of its managers and structural issue within the city’s human workforce. In an email obtained by SN&R, resources department, specifically that the AAELC representatives told Chan that some Office of Civil Rights (now called the Equal employees had been offended by “an inappropriEmployment Opportunity Division) has a ate and offensive sign” posted on the office door direct reporting relationship to the Office of of Shelley Banks-Robinson, the city’s human Labor Relations. The EEOD handles resources director. sensitive investigations, and Labor The sign featured a portrait Relations is an upper division of of 19th century showman P.T. human resources that handles Barnum, with a quote by him disciplinary issues. In this that read, “Wait a minute … case, the leadership of This IS my circus and those HR is directly involved ARE my monkeys!” in AAELC’s complaint. AAELC’s message AAELC’s letter called this spelled out why its situation a clear conflict members were upset. of interest. “Historically, AfricanChan’s response Quotation attributed Americans have been referred explained why that structure to P.T. Barnum to as monkeys. In this context won’t be changing. the term is viewed as a deroga“It has been determined that tory reference and ethnic slur,” [the Equal Employment Opportunity AAELC’s letter stated. “This comment Division]’s seamless coordination and is commonly used to disparage and intimidate alignment with the Labor Relations Department African-Americans. Furthermore, research has is needed to effectively address complaints in a shown P.T. Barnum was a racist and he bought timely and substantive manner,” he wrote. and sold Blacks much like he displayed animals This week, city communications manager Tim in his circus. P.T. Barnum also performed in Swanson emphasized that there are processes in black face.” places to make sure the HR department is policed In Chan’s response to AAELC, also obtained like any other department. by SN&R, the city manager said that he’d deter“The city of Sacramento takes complaints mined the offense was unintentional. from its employees about discrimination, harass“After direct consultation with Director ment and other issues very seriously,” Swanson Shelley Banks-Robinson, we found that the sign said, adding that investigations are done “thorreferenced in your previous email was placed oughly, fairly and with integrity.” there by another HR employee whose intent was The P.T. Barnum incident wasn’t the first to communicate the level and amount of work time Sacramento’s HR department faced scrutiny. that Director Banks-Robinson is engaged in,” In 2016, an HR analyst filed a complaint against Chan wrote on September 17. “That person did her supervisors with the state Department of Fair not purposefully mean to be biased toward any Housing and Employment, alleging she’d been individual, group, or community of staff/personsingled out for unfair disciplinary actions based nel, although the sign could be viewed as such.” on her race. Ω
“This IS my circus and those ARE my monkeys!”
Free introductory class given by a regional speaker followed by optional free vegetarian lunch and discussion Sunday, February 3, 2019 12 noon • Sierra 2 Center Curtis Hall 2791 - 24th St. • Sacramento
707-310-2240 • www.knowthyself.org
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