Cases on Social Issues For Class Discussion - 2nd Edition Textbook Case 7 Bullying of Immigrants

CASE BULLYING OF IMMIGRANTS AND REFUGEES AT WORK This case for class discussion is about the bullying and exclusion of immigrants and refugees in the workplace . We include background information on the social issues . Then , we describe the critical events of a scenario that will inspire the discussion and provide discussion prompts . We also include teaching notes and a short bibliography of relevant readings . While actively participating in the case discussion , students can apply learned concepts to real situations , reflect on social issues and use critical thinking and ethical judgement to suggest a course of action for the people described in the case . Case Bullying of Immigrants and Refugees at Work 101

Background on the Social Issue RED BRIANNA DOYLE GILL SARAH CELINE SHAN LI DEIRDRE , AND Employers in Canada have a legal duty to keep employees safe , to not allow discrimination and to prevent harassment ( British Columbia Human Rights Tribunal , Canadian Human Rights Commission , 2020 , 2022 ) However , new immigrants and refugees might not be familiar with their human and workplace rights ( Buckley , 2016 ) Unfortunately , new immigrants and refugees can experience discrimination , bullying and stereotyping at work in Canada . Recent immigrants might appear to be an easy group to exclude or to focus on as targets of frustration for problems at work ( 2022 ) New immigrant or refugee employees may be criticized or berated by senior employees or supervisors , and if there are language barriers between them and other employees , new immigrants or refugees may be avoided . They may work alone , without getting advice on how to handle problems or mistakes . Furthermore , they may not be informed of updates or changes in procedures . Also , people who are bullied at work are often excluded from the social life of the workplace and may not have the same opportunity to bond with . Considering all these factors , workplace bullying can be stressful and can have detrimental effects on employees health and . If immigrant or refugee workers are experiencing discrimination or bullying at work , they may fear that if they complain they will experience reprisals from others , social exclusion or even risk losing their immigration or refugee status . support is important for victims of bullying and harassment , but the victim needs supervisor support as well ( 2020 ) Victims of bullying and harassment at work need employer advocacy and the enforcement of policies meant to protect them . Background on the Social Issue 103

Figure A Factory Worker Figure A sad Latin American pushed away Media Factory Worker is licensed under a All Rights Reserved license Monochrome photo of a man Luis is licensed under a All Rights Reserved license Background on the Social Issue 105 Scenario for Discussion RED BRIANNA DOYLE GILL SARAH CELINE SHAN LI DEIRDRE AND Setting A manufacturing that makes bottled fruit juice . Best Juice has between 35 and 50 employees , including office staff , factory floor staff , some engineers , and lab technicians , with an increase in staff during the fall when apples are harvested . 106 Scenario for Discussion

Figure An Apple Processing Plant Characters Dani , of Latino heritage from Honduras , is a refugee to Canada . He is a new employee who is still learning English and working as a fruit sorter at the beginning of the processing line . William , white , of British heritage , is a Canadian citizen . He is a processing engineer who maintains the machines and workflow , has an upstairs , and is not on the factory all day . Feng , Asian , of Chinese heritage , is a Canadian citizen . As assistant manager , he manages the crew , the cleaners , William , and some other processing specialists . Media Apple Processing Plant Wren is licensed under a All Rights Reserved license 108 Scenario for Discussion

Critical Events to Inspire Discussion RED BRIANNA DOYLE GILL SARAH CELINE SHAN LI DEIRDRE AND The situation Best Juice has a busy work environment , as fruit must be processed before it spoils , even in cold storage . Although all companies must comply with human rights laws , there are no explicit diversity or inclusion policies in place at this worksite . Furthermore , there has been no training provided on workplace harassment other than the annual mandated course . Most workers have been there for years and are proud of their competence and high productivity . Best Juice has an environment where the staff work hard and comprise a tight knit team who like to joke around . They aren always careful in considering what they say since staff call this teasing and everyone laughs along . The main character , Dani , is able to speak functional English . He is a fruit sorter and is making mistakes as he learns the job . Other employees have spoken to him sharply at times , reminding him to be careful as it affects everyone down the line . Several employees asked him in a very loud voice , Do you understand ?

English ?

Do you speak English ?

Other employees have also asked Dani to do extra jobs , such as carrying crates to other locations and sweeping up , tasks that are supposed to be everyone responsibility . Even when he asks for assistance for jobs , he has noticed how his fellow employees only begrudgingly help him . As Dani is a recent refugee who is unsure of his status , he does what he is told and does not stir up trouble by talking back . The event One day , William , the engineer , has to stop production for 45 minutes to something on a conveyor belt . Some workers are sent to do inventory checks , while others are sent on break early . Dani , however , does understand where to go , and so he stands by the conveyor belt , apparently anxious . The senior employees , who are helping William with tools and equipment , stare at Dani and shake their heads . One worker laughs and mutters to William , That new Venezuelan or Mexican guy or whatever probably broke it . Ha , ha . He always slows us down . Guess he does like to work ! Dani doesn say anything and looks down at his feet . William politely asks the employee to help Dani learn his job . Later , William goes into Feng to discuss the situation . Dialogue between William , the engineer , and Feng , the assistant manager Feng Hello . Hey , the lab reports look good this week . William Good , good . But I wanted to talk to you about the new guy , Dani . I think the others are treating him bad and not helping him . Feng Well , he still learning . Maybe he is popular . Hey , why isn he talking to me about it if its a problem ?

William Who wants to be a snitch ?

Anyway , he probably doesnt know anyone and wouldnt be able to give you names , dates or info like that . 73 Critical Events to Inspire Discussion 109 Feng I running a great team here . Its probably just the new guy learning our way of doing things . He settle in . William Maybe . But I think theres some kind of of this guy , like hes a lazy Mexican and has to be bossed around and given the extra grunt work . They think hes Mexican . He from Central America , right ?

Feng Yeah , Okay , let keep an eye on the line and see if it really is a problem . 110 i 73 Critical Events to Inspire Discussion Discussion What should happen next ?

RED BRIANNA DOYLE SARAH CELINE DEIRDRE AND SANGHA What should Dani , the employee , do ?

Try to befriend an employee who appears to be respectful ?

Talk to William , the engineer ?

Report the bullying to Feng , the assistant manager ?

Keep his head down and keep working through the bullying ?

Try to talk to the bullies ?

Bring some food to work to share ?

Ask to be reassigned to a different place on the production line ?

Other ideas ?

What should the bystander employee and engineer , William , do ?

Ignore the problem ?

Provide Dani with informal help ?

Ask Dani questions about his life to get to know him ?

Model friendly behaviour by greeting everyone by name and frequently thanking them ?

Other ideas ?

What should the assistant manager , Feng , do ?

Discount the problem of bullying ?

Pull Dani aside for a conversation to what is happening ?

Assign a formal mentor to Dani ?

Track down the bullies and give them a warning ?

Give a speech to all the staff to ask them to be sensitive about what they say ?

Walk the more often and deliberately praise everyone ?

Ask upper management to implement diversity training for all current employees ?

Hold mandatory courses ?

Create fun events to lighten the mood and create a friendly atmosphere ?

Other ideas ?

Discussion What should happen next ?

111 Teaching Notes RED BRIANNA DOYLE GILL SARAH CELINE SHAN LI DEIRDRE AND Note to teachers This scenario deals with sensitive and controversial issues . Discussions may be upsetting for some students . Please provide context and background information about discrimination and harassment at work , especially information that challenges common assumptions . This background information will help prepare students for a robust but respectful discussion . Please see the background information above and the bibliography below or seek other sources from your own diversity and inclusion specialists , advisors , or educational supports . What will students discuss ?

As relevant to course learning outcomes , students will discuss any of the following bias , racism , stereotyping diversity , equity and inclusion , belonging , justice , dignity , human rights communication bystander behaviours language barriers work anxiety and stress processes professionalism , organizational development , leadership human resources hiring practices supervision workplace culture humour at work factory work businesses policy making and enforcement employer obligations internal communication , organizational culture approaches to decision making other relevant topics Students may suggest various courses of action for the characters in the case 112 Teaching Notes

Students may argue that Dani should formally complain to the manager and argue for the of doing so . Students may argue that the manager should organize more social events where everyone is included and explain how this will help the situation . Students may argue that it is the responsibility of the employer to implement workplace harassment policies and suggest ways these policies and strategies could be implemented . Students may argue that it is the responsibility of the employer to implement more formal mentorship strategies , to clearly outline roles and responsibilities and also to suggest ways these policies and strategies could be implemented . Students may choose to argue that it is not the responsibility of other employees to orient new employees or help them in to the established workplace culture . Other ideas . 75 Teaching Notes 113

References and Bibliography RED BRIANNA DOYLE GILL SARAH CELINE SHAN LI DEIRDRE AND References , 2020 ) Exposure to bullying behaviours and support from and supervisors A interaction and the effect on health and . International Archives of Occupational and Environmental Health , 93 ( British Columbia Human Rights Tribunal ( Human Rights and Duties in Employment . Buckley , 2016 , May ) labour laws failing vulnerable workers . Star . 2022 ) Workplace bullying of immigrants working in Sweden . International Journal of Human Resource Management , 33 ( 14 ) 2022 ) Bullying and harassment . Bibliography , 2020 ) Exposure to bullying behaviours and support from and supervisors A interaction and the effect on health and . International Archives of Occupational and Environmental Health , 93 ( British Columbia Human Rights Tribunal ( Human Rights and Duties in ment . Buckley , 2016 , May ) labour laws failing vulnerable workers . Star . Brown , 2019 , October 30 ) Speak English in Canada woman rants at Asian staff in drugstore . Vancouver Sun . Canadian Human Rights Commission . 2020 ) What is harassment ?

Family Service Canada . Social issues impacting Canadian families . 2021 , November ) 2022 ) Workplace bullying of immigrants working in Sweden . International Journal of Human Resource Management , 33 ( 14 ) Xing , 2018 , January 23 ) Accent is an irrelevant factor if Vou can do the lob but it can pose a challenge during the job hunt . News . 2022 ) Bullying and harassment . 114 References and Bibliography