HR Questions

You should have gone to HR a long time ago...thats what they are there for--to deal with things like "I don't want to do anything since she has been here for a long time"

you have every right and entitlement to not feel uneasy at work for any reason. HR deals with these kinds of issues as this kind of thing is serious here in this country, you are welcomed to report this kind of thing i would NOT put up with it

By genetic backgroud do you mean racial background? Calling you "junior" because of a shared genetic background wouldn't be weird, as you'd probably be related to the other person. Doing it because of race, on the other hand, seems wholly inappropriate to me.

If you're a white guy in a government around Atlanta, and you're getting the feeling that you're being treated differently on account of race, I'd think HR would be particularly sensitive to the issue given the recent court decision against Vernon Jones and DeKalb County. That being the case, I think, assuming this woman is calling you junior based upon race, it wouldn't hurt to talk to HR. A lot of times you're protected by law in situations like this, so it shouldn't be an issue that could cost you your job.

The bottom line is that there's something going on that makes you feel uncomfortable, and you shouldn't have to deal with that. It may be that your supervisor just doesn't understand that this is inappropriate, or it may be that there's a real problem here. Regardless, I don't think it's wrong for you to address it.

so what did HR say/ do?

People should be called what they want to be called, anything less in a work setting is unacceptable. I hope HR addresses this.

I'd talk with the #2 and tell them what I am feeling. But then again, I am not in the position where losing my job is a big deal (because I am a student intern).

A few things to keep in mind.:

1. Honestly it's not a big deal, no offense, but it just isn't. Nearly no one my entire life has been able to pronounce my name correctly, so I just let people call me whatever their comfortable with.

2. Since it does bother you, I highly recommend taking it up with the person in question. Just politely ask that you be called (your name) instead of junior. Your reaction is common, enough so that many places of business can't say "Merry Christmas" because it might offend somebody (among a myriad of other things that hurt people's feelings).

3. Be warned here and now that going to HR can backfire horribly for you. The HR staff are not immune to gossip, having favorites, and being friends with other staff. Even if their job is to help protect employees, I've seen it on more than one occasion where the result of a complaint has turned into a witch-hunt to "get back" at the person who complained against a friend. So don't be surprised if you find people trying to catch you in the act of anything and everything to report you about. Not saying it will happen in your case, but just know that it does happen.

+1, I'm not sure why this wasn't done on day one.

Raise with your supervisor that being in a professional environment, you would appreciate being called by your real name (this would be strengthened if you do not call anyone by nicknames). Do this very politely but firmly (as in schedule a meeting with her, talk shop then cut to the chase with a kind smile on your face). Re-iterate this by indicating you plan on speaking with rest of staff about it. It was amusing at first but now it is distracting. Then, raise it with your co-workers one by one. Same way - take them aside and tell them not to call you junior again. From then on drop it. If they call you that again, complain to your supervisor again and mention you will raise it with HR if people can't moderate themselves. Document any and all emails passed along going forward. If they keep persisting ask in emails that they quit. Email HR, and copy your supervisor so everyone is on notice. Option two: maybe people wouldn't call you by your nickname if they found a way to connect with you? Try to plan a casual out of office lunch or happy hour and bring it up to one or two people at the right time and see the reasons why the call you that, voice your displeasure at it and gauge how feel about dropping it. One thing to note: it will take a while for people to get used to not calling your "junior" after a few years of you apparently not voicing your displeasure. After you raise your issues with it, don't raise a huge stink if people slip here and there as they get used to it. But you should shoot for a general trend of people (starting with your boss) getting used to calling you by your real name. OR you could come up with snarky nicknames for everyone (not your boss of course) like "sport", "kid", "catcher", "Artest", etc.

Just don't answer to "Junior", Junior.

Also, we have some very high-level Atl-based members who might be able to lend a hand.

Not advice and not work related but I was in a similar situation. Not me being called the name but another. There was a friend of a friend on our softball team we called Egg. That is how he was introduced to us by his friend. All he did was tell one person on the team that he did not like being called that. Gossip as it is, this travelled quickly and nobody really calls him it anymore. I do not know who he told or the content of the conversation. All I heard was "hey, you know that Egg wants to be called Scott..." "Really, why?" "IDK, does not like Egg" "Ohh, OK" So, an option is to tell a friend to tell people. Seems kind of sissy, but a lot easier and less cumbersome than the advice a few posts above to take all EE's aside one by one. Nobody really likes formal confrontation. This way, you are not the bad guy.

In this thread: The Emasculation of the American Man Christ mate, re-read your post out loud to yourself. You're letting some cunt mentally push you around and get under your skin since day one. You sound like a guy who is a pushover in most areas of life and who isn't happy w/ most things in his life (don't like your work but can't leave, sounds like you kind of got stuck in ATL and you wish to be somewhere else, letting femi-nazi cunt and rest of staff, etc.) You need to make your stand against this woman and leave your job. It'll be the kickstart you need to start changing your life. I'm not being a prick, I'm just telling you the truth that you are afraid to face.