Send the memo on

REFERRING to the December 16-17 Southern Cross Care memo.

I recently undertook work placement and the first day I was working with the supervisor and another three staff.

So when the three of them started chatting in Chinese, laughing back and forth for about two hours, during which at no time at all did any of them make an effort to include me.

This made me nervous and uncomfortable, it got to the point I considered saying “I’m going home” … but I didn’t as I was only a work placement, they were long-time employees so what do my feelings matter if I explained to the manager my issue?

But inclusion and respect matter. I noticed it never happened when the manager was around as they are not from Chinese heritage.

I knew then that day I was clearly excluded by them.

So how about if we take the same situation but put it in a public place?

That old paranoid feeling “are they talking about me” can creep in … but it’s public I can leave the area, work I can’t.

In reality that memo would have been taken and responded to completely differently if the request was from a person who was Aboriginal, has a disability or from the LGBTIQ community.

I have never learnt another language but I can empathise how hard it can be. I am also well aware that good communication goes both ways. Speak clearly, not use slang.

Demonstrate if still misunderstood.

Don’t stick to your own ethnicity group at work because it’s easier to communicate that way.

Don’t let anyone make you feel like a nuisance because you don’t understand what’s been communicated.

Don’t accuse people of bullying and racism for wanting a fair, inclusive workplace for all.

Southern Cross Care can you please send that memo to the work placement business I went to.

Emma Kelly Clarendon Vale