So I bought a hat at City Stages a couple weeks ago. It’s an Obama hat. It’s a simple white hat with black stitching. Pretty cheap really. I took it to work and set it on top of my cubicle’s cabinet. Today my manager told me to take it down. She said that she is an Obama supporter but that we can’t have political stuff up at work. Apparently it’s in the employee handbook. Also, somebody complained. Maybe more than one somebody. So I took it down. No problem.
But I can’t help but wonder why I never heard first hand from anybody who had a problem with the hat. (Set aside for now the question of why somebody would have a problem with it.) A few people came up to me and told me that they also support Obama but nobody said a word to me about disagreeing with me or having a problem with the hat. I don’t think I’m a mean person; in fact I think I go out of my way to listen to other points of view and be kind to folks who disagree with me. I wonder why nobody said anything to me about the hat…
I guess my question is if somebody at work were displaying a hat or a poster or whatever and you disagreed with it would you confront them or go to your manager?
I know I wouldn’t go to the manager without saying something. That really is kinda pathetic.
I guess it can be hard to confront someone over their ideals if you find them offensive. I’ve got a really great friend, who I love to bits, except she’s kinda racist. Sometimes she will say something and I’m like “uh…um…oooo….yeah, don’t say that” and it’s awkward…but I feel I have to do it or I feel kinda dirty.
If some huge tattooed guy was sat next to me with a poster saying “WOMEN SHOULD DIE” I might find myself less inclined
But, for the work place, a quick conversation with an obviously sane workmate is more than enough. No need for school yard tattletales.
Comment by Coral — July 8, 2008 @ 5:16 pm