Vote on Desiree Davidson's Story
Were they afraid we were planning a coup d'etat?
I spent my first summer during Columbia Law School at a firm in Philadelphia described as one of the best places in the city for black lawyers. I believed that if there was any place where I would have an equal chance at opportunities, be treated fairly and succeed, this would be it. There were three black female summer associates out of sixty that year but any time all three of us were in an office talking, one of the partners would knock on the door to see how we were doing. It happened too often to be a coincidence that sometimes we would purposely agree to meet in so-and-so's office to test our theory that we were being monitored. Like clock work, ten minutes after we would get together a partner would stop by.
Left & is now a Small Business Entrepreneur
I have a story from a previous employer in which I was treated unfairly. My boss told me she didn't like me, so no matter what, I was never good enough for her.
I just wasn't happy and it reflected on my attitude in the workplace.
I would want my boss to be confronted and to speak to me in a mature and professional manner. I would also want human resources to take care of the situation.
Just be positive. Don't let anyone get in the way of your possibilities in your life and create what you want to create.
Michelle Comet
I worked for a large consumer goods organization about 4 years ago and quit because I was literally the lowest paid employee in a department of 25 despite the fact that I had a degree and my counterparts in the same position did not.
I applied to several different positions within the organization which had to be approved by the department manager.
I left after I was transferred to a different department to do work for one of the top executives. Initially, I was told that this position would come with a significant raise.
I would have stayed if I felt as though I was a valued employee and paid accordingly. The industry I left had a high turnover rate (the average person stayed 1-3 years) and to be successful, I believe it would take a restructuring of the management system.
