Racism in the UK Workplace and Its Effect on Managers - Essay Example

Running head: racism in the uk workplace and its affect on managers 17th April Racism is a major concern in United Kingdom where the practice of letting a person race or skin color is being considered as a factor to guarantee one to receive a job, to be promoted or be provided with other benefits in the work place. The practice negatively affects work and even those who are in top management like the managers and the CEOs of the companies. In United Kingdom, the minority individuals are often discriminated against the white though a reverse of the same may happen, white being discriminated against the minority. The paper seeks to discuss how racism in United Kingdom workplace and how it affects managers today. Further, the paper will discuss how managers respond to the issue of racism and the skills used to solve racism in work place in United Kingdom. How racism affects managers The human resources department cannot control the managers on what they do. Human resource mainly monitors employment practices to in the entire company cases of discrimination are monitored by the human resource. Racial discrimination in workplace affects managers in different ways for example an individual may be discriminated in workplace and later lawsuit to be the next thing. This normally happen when there is an evidence that a company is discriminating the minority group in a company against the white employees causing such a firm to be sued and thus heavy fine is imposed to the company (Gomez, 2008). The federal government from 1960s has been fighting racism in workplace and if one is discriminated, law that prohibits discrimination will lead to the manager being fired thus affecting the company progress. The work output where racism exists is low since competence is not used as the basis to improve the company output thus making the managers to be under pressure since the managers want high quality production and increased output of the products. If problem persist, it will lead to the company being unable to carry the daily transactions thus the manager’s capability to control and manage to be questioned. Racism usually leads to the company using more resources like fund to hire competent people from other organizations leading to increased expenditure in the company. This will mean the company will rely on other sources of production despite having employees in the company (Bonnett, 2000). The responsibility to explain the expenditure can make the manager to be demoted or even being fired since one is not able to lead the employees. Racism will cause those employees who are innovative not to present the ideas to the managers on how unique brands can be introduced in the market making the company not to be competitive with others (Alexander, 1999). This is because racism psychologically affects individuals in the workplace making one not to be creative. The managers will face competition and the company will never be accepted in the market place and thus low sales and low profit making the managers to be under pressure to try and come up with the solution. How managers respond to the issue Managers can respond to racism by making reports of cases that are forwarded to them by the employees. Since racism is rampant in United Kingdom, Racial Harassment Officers should later investigate the employer and supervisors or human resources managers. This makes the company to increase the output since no racial discrimination in the company will be practiced in the company thus making the managers to be part and parcel of curbing the problem. The manager will consider the report as soon as possible after the alleged conduct occurs, thus able to provide the appropriate remedy or disciplinary action so that such behavior will not occur to the company again. According to the Marxist theory of racism and racial inequality, racism usually divides the working class. This means that if racism is encouraged in UK firms, then workers will never work for the same goal but rather they will be divided making it hard to achieve the set goals. The capitalist ideas of individual ownership of property must be eliminated since capitalist ideas do divide black and white workers. This can only be eliminated if the managers will encourage the workers to form unions and organizations that will be able to challenge the employer (Cobie, 1999). If the theory of Marxist can be used by managers, then racism at workplace can be reduced since the interest of workers will be represented by unions and racism will be reduced since individual ownership of property will be abolished thus making sure that one competence is the key point to promote or employ one in the companies. Actions must be taken by the managers so that workers are not divided since division will lead to failure of an organization. Records relating to racism must be retained so that if an individual conduct the same offense in the workplace, he or she will be dealt with by the management accordingly since if racism is encouraged, it will lead to workers being divided making it hard to achieve the company mission and vision. As a manager, commanding is a management skill that can be used to curb racism in the company. This can be done by the managers to make sure racism is effectively curbed in United Kingdom. As a manager, the responsibility is to dictate what is to be done in the company and make sure daily routines are done according to the manager’s expectation. Since racism is a practice that is usually done in many companies since the black and white residents in UK is normally practiced (Kotter, 2002). As the manager, one is supposed to command and make sure that those who practice racism are fired from the company. To curb racism in the workplace, a manager should ensure that proper communication to the employees and the top management is encouraged. Similarly, promotion and job employment in the companies should be done on the basis of merit and competence (Richardson, 2008). As a qualified and skillful manager commanding is essential in the companies since rules and regulations must be the key point and idea to consider making sure that all the employees follow the rules and regulation of the company. Controlling is another management skill that can be used by managers. This implies that all the activities of the company must be controlled making sure that racism is controlled in the company (Drucker, 2009). To curb the practices, all the employees with ideas of racism must be controlled and if possible eliminated from the company so that the practice can be curbed within an organization (Bagley 1979). The managers can use organizing as a management skill and organize campaigns to deal with racism in the company. Educational campaign is encouraged so that cases of racism in the workplace can be eliminated. The manager work is to organize in the company making sure that all the workers are organized in terms of team work making sure that the team work will include the white and black men. In conclusion, racism if not effectively addressed, divides the workers in the workplace making it hard for any firm to achieve its goals. The manager can use commanding, controlling and organizing management skills to curb racism. References Alexander, P. (1999). Racializing Class, Classifying Race ;Labour and Difference in Britain, the USA And Africa. Basingstoke: Palgrave Macmillan. Bagley, C. (1979). Personality, self-esteem and prejudice. London: Gower Publishing Co. Bonnett, A. (2000). Anti-racism. London: Routledge. Cobie, K. (1999). Readings in Black Political Economy. Iowa: Lowa State University Drucker, P. (2009). Management cases. NY: Collins Business. Gomez, M. (2008). Management: People, Performance, Change. New York: McGraw-Hill. Kotter, J. (2002). The Heart of Change. Boston: Harvard Business School Publishing. Richardson, R. (2008). Racist Incidents and Bullying in Schools: How to Prevent Them and How to Respond When They Happen Principles, guidance and good practice. London: Trentham Books. Read More