I told my boss that I needed time off to go and vote. He said that he’d only let me if I voted Republican. I was outraged. He said he was only joking. I complained to HR and they didn’t do anything. What are my rights?
You have the right to take time off to vote. You have the right to vote for whomever you choose. You have the right to not reveal your politics or voting preferences. You have the right to complain to HR about your boss. HR has the right to speak to the boss and determine if it was a bad joke or not, depending on your relationship with your boss and your sense of humor. I don’t know if your boss was serious, but I tend to give most people the benefit of the doubt of not being so stupid as to seriously tell an employee they can only have time off to vote if they vote a certain way. However, unless you work for a political establishment, you have the right to not be subjected to your boss’ political views at work.
An employee voiced their frustration to HR after they were told by their boss they were not allowed to take time off of work unless they were voting Republican. AFP via Getty ImagesI lost my job because of the company’s stated desire to have more diversity in its management ranks as part of its diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives. I don’t want anyone to be subject to discrimination, but it seems it’s open season on white men like me. How is it fair for us to be singled out based on race and gender but no one else? May I sue my employer?
It’s complicated. Quotas, hiring and promotion preferences that exclude groups based on race or sex generally are illegal under Title VII of the 1964 Civil Rights Act, so firing someone because of their race or gender (including white men) is unlawful. Most affirmative action and diversity initiatives don’t violate this law because courts have held that programs can be aimed at addressing racial or gender imbalances to create equal opportunities for all, so efforts to find candidates from underrepresented groups to fill an open position would not be a violation. But just because you are a white man who was fired and your position was filled by a woman or member of another race doesn’t mean that you were let go because you are a white man. With all the potential legal issues, though, consult with a lawyer.
Gregory Giangrande has over 25 years of experience as a chief human resources executive. Hear Greg Weds. at 9:35 a.m. on iHeartRadio 710 WOR with Len Berman and Michael Riedel. E-mail: GoToGreg@NYPost.com. Follow: GoToGreg.com and on
Twitter: @greggiangrande
