As a young man, I applied for a Director position for which I felt uniquely qualified. I was told “you’re not ready”and offered a staff job working for the manager under the new director. I was about to be laid off so I took the job.
A white man with equal experience & education was given the job. Over the next several months, my manager commented to the HR Director that he needed someone for my job because I was “always helping the Director do his job”. The HR Director told me in confidence that she told the VP that I was clearly the better candidate.
There was an Asian lady in a management position that I worked with frequently. She became an EVP at another company and offered me the same Directors position within days of her hiring.
When I left the Director was fired after a couple months & I learned that he didn’t have equivalent work experience. For those who believe that all is equal, I still see decisions like this to this day. I
’ve seen managers send emails to recruiters saying that they don’t want women or black people. Racism is alive and well. My time as a business owner & executive gave me a different view and it wasn’t rosy. We must do better!
