Latest news with #racialstereotyping
Daily Mail
5 days ago
- Daily Mail
Public servant who nicknamed German colleague 'Helga' is reprimanded after workplace clash
A Queensland public servant has been reprimanded after clashing with her German colleague and secretly nicknaming her 'Helga'. Nikki Hornberg took the Department of Transport and Main Roads in Warwick to the Queensland Industrial Relations Commission (QIRC) after being pulled up on her behaviour on March 11. She argued the reprimand and extra training she was given after 'mocking' her 'abrupt' German colleague and using the phrase 'Nein, Nein' was unfair. But QIRC Commissioner John Dwyer disagreed with Ms Hornberg and ruled the reprimand was fair in a decision handed down on July 17. He stated Ms Hornberg, who worked as a 'project costing officer', had been racially stereotyping her German co-worker. The colleague in question reportedly spoke with a strong German accent, but was not named Helga. 'The use of the name 'Helga' when referring to the co-worker in question is enough, of itself, to justify the sanction imposed,' he concluded, as reported by the Courier Mail. Ms Hornberg did not deny that she referred to her German colleague as Helga behind her back. The colleague has not officially complained about the nickname or was unaware of it. TMR managers who knew about the nickname were said to be 'inept', Mr Dwyer stated. He also said the claim Ms Hornberg used the phrase 'Nein, Nein' was not 'particularly strong'. However, the allegation would stand as Ms Hornberg had not appealed that finding. 'Taking into account a permissive attitude or management ineptitude, it is plain from the evidence (including Ms Hornberg's own concessions) that she was using the name 'Helga' discourteously and disrespectfully,' he wrote. Mr Dwyer said Ms Hornberg should have been aware of the negative connotations of the nickname and should not have needed a manager to tell her to refrain from using it. 'There can be no doubt the choice of the name 'Helga' is a form of racial stereotyping,' Mr Dwyer added. The judge ruled that the simple reason Ms Hornberg chose not to address her colleague with the nickname proves that her intention was one of 'mocking'. Witnesses interviewed during the investigation alleged Ms Hornberg clashed with her German co-worker over a particular entry in a time sheet. Ms Hornberg's behaviour towards her colleague changed following this disagreement. The judge noted witnesses agreed the German colleague was also 'abrupt in her communication style'. Several witnesses, including a manager, did not think Ms Hornberg's use of the name 'Helga' was offensive, which Mr Dwyer described as 'concerning'. Ms Hornberg argued the conduct issue should have been dealt with by TMR as a 'performance issue' at a local level and should not have been escalated to a disciplinary issue. Mr Dwyer stated this proved Ms Hornberg's 'troubling lack of insight … into the objective seriousness of her conduct'. It also showed she was oblivious to the potential legal consequences for TMR as her name-calling created a risk her colleague could sue TMR for discrimination.
Reuters
13-06-2025
- Business
- Reuters
McDonald's settles Byron Allen's $10 billion lawsuit over ads for Black-owned media
June 13 (Reuters) - McDonald's (MCD.N), opens new tab has settled a $10 billion lawsuit by the media entrepreneur Byron Allen accusing the fast-food chain of "racial stereotyping" by excluding Black-owned media from much of its advertising budget. Friday's settlement between McDonald's and two of Allen's companies, Entertainment Studios Networks and the Weather Group, averts a scheduled July 15 trial in Los Angeles federal court. It also resolves Allen's related $100 million lawsuit against McDonald's in Los Angeles Superior Court. McDonald's said it will buy ads "at market value" from Allen's companies "in a manner that aligns with its advertising strategy and commercial objectives." Settlement terms are confidential. McDonald's, based in Chicago, denied wrongdoing in agreeing to settle. In a statement, Allen's companies said "we acknowledge McDonald's commitment to investing in Black-owned media properties and increasing access to opportunity. Our differences are behind us." Allen accused McDonald's of falsely labeling Entertainment Studios as a media company that produces content solely for Black viewers, consigning it to its "de minimis" ad budget for those viewers instead of its general ad budget. He also accused McDonald's of lying when it pledged in 2021 to boost national ad spending with those media to 5% from 2% by 2024. Allen said he relied on that pledge when seeking business from McDonald's, only to be rebuffed, and that his Allen Media Group represented more than 90% of Black-owned media. Allen's networks include The Weather Channel, Justice Central, and
