Question the Status Quo
As a consumer, you can play a critical role in ensuring that the companies you patronize treat their employees fairly.
Here are some things you can do, and questions you can ask yourself and the management to help stop unfair and discriminatory labor practices.
Las soluciones que yo quisiera ver en un futuro seria que nos traten con respeto, que nos den un trato justo y digno, y un pago también justo, porque ellos necesitan de nuestro trabajo. Nosotros sabemos hacer las cosas bien. Somos gente honrada y trabajadora y eso es lo que yo espero en un futuro ver, respeto hacia nosotros, un trato igual.”
English Translation: “The solutions I would like to see in the future are that they treat us with respect, that they give us a fair and dignified treatment, and also a just pay because they need our work. We know how to doing things well. We are honest and hardworking people and that is what I hope for in a future, respect for us and equal treatment.”
Take the “neck test.”
When you’re in a restaurant, retail store or other business establishment, crane your neck around and see how many people of different races or genders are in different roles (e.g. how many of the servers are white? How many dishwashers are people of color? How many sales clerks are women? How many managers are men? In Brazil, some people call this the “neck test,” a term coined by a public servant and his teacher.
Spot the Patterns in how Workers are Treated.
Next time you go to a place of business (e.g. a restaurant, fast food outlet, retail store, etc.), notice the workers and working conditions, and ask yourself questions like these:
- Are people of different races treated differently from each other? Are people of different genders treated differently?
- Are there any signs of harassment or verbal abuse?
- Do any employees appear to be sick?
- Are there any safety or sanitary concerns?
- Do you see any good patterns or practices? For example, is there evidence of racial and gender inclusion within the various occupations?
Related:
If you visit frequently, see if problems or patterns persist. Document what you observe (restaurant customers should use the new features of ROC United’s National Diners’ Guide App to upload comments to reviews on Yelp). And if you can do so discreetly, talk to employees about their experiences and concerns. Don’t support businesses that discriminate or treat workers unfairly. Use word of mouth and social media to share your consumer experiences.
Talk to the Top Brass:
“If you see something, say something.” If you’ve observed potential problems – or good patterns or practices – bring these to the manager’s attention. Questions to ask include:
- What is the minimum wage for employees?
- Is there paid sick leave?
- How diverse is the management?
- How diverse is the staff in other particular positions?
- What is the company doing to ensure that there is racial and gender diversity and pay equity for different positions?
- Are there promotion policies and training opportunities so that workers can move up into better positions?
Related:
You can also write a letter to the owner or company president to share your concerns or ask questions. If you eat at a restaurant because it appears in the ROC United Diners’ Guide app list of employers with “high-road” practices, let them know!
Take the High Road by Supporting Ethical and Fair Businesses: (for restaurant industry):
Only ethical companies that engage in fair employment practices deserve your dollars. Buy from businesses that have responsible, fair and exemplary practices. Do they treat their employees respectfully and provide good wages and benefits? Do they actively support race and gender equity and inclusion? The Restaurant Opportunities Center United has a downloadable Diners Guide app to help you select exemplary “high-road” restaurants at http://rocunited.org/dinersguide/, and new 2015 features allow you to upload comments to a Yelp review.