Question

Kat works as a global marketing manager for New Balance, a sneaker and apparel company located just outside of downtown Boston. She loves to eat at the restaurant near her office. Her favorite food is their specialty, Cuban sandwiches. If you're looking for Kat, you never have to look too far; you can find her here daily.
Kat hires a new member for her team, Marnie who recently transferred from their Middle East location. Marnie joins Kat for the Cuban sandwich on her first day and loves it. When they get on the elevator to go back to their office, Kat chuckles and says that every time she leaves the restaurant she says she smells like a cab driver.
Marnie was silent, not sure how to respond to Kat's comment. Marnie was offended, her boyfriend drives a cab.
What if the elevator was occupied by workers whose parents drove cabs? How could Kat's comments be taken? Choose all that apply.

Select one or more:

a. Kat's comment could be viewed as ignorant, racist, or offensive

b. Kat's comment is funny

c. Wow, what kind of company does she work for?

d. Ugh, I don't want to want to come here again

Kat works as a global marketing manager for New Balance, a sneaker and apparel company located just outside of downtown Boston. She loves to eat at the restaurant near her office. Her favorite food is their specialty, Cuban sandwiches. If you're looking for Kat, you never have to look too far; you can find her here daily.
Kat hires a new member for her team, Marnie who recently transferred from their Middle East location. Marnie joins Kat for the Cuban sandwich on her first day and loves it. When they get on the elevator to go back to their office, Kat chuckles and says that every time she leaves the restaurant she says she smells like a cab driver.
Marnie was silent, not sure how to respond to Kat's comment. Marnie was offended, her boyfriend drives a cab.
Kat has a meeting with a new client Abe from Algeria. He was riding in the elevator when Kat made the comment about smelling like a cab driver. Abe's father is a cab driver. His mother was recently diagnosed with breast cancer and the doctor said that it was likely caused by the deodorant she was wearing and requested that she stop wearing deodorant while she is being treated with chemotherapy. She is very self-conscious about not wearing deodorant. Abe is extremely appalled at Kat's comments and requests to speak with Kat's manager. What could happen as a result of Kat's behavior? Choose all that apply.

Select one or more:

a. Kat's manager removes Kat from the project

b. Kat receives additional training on how to be more culturally aware

c. Abe does not sign the contract and claims that it was Kat's comments that was the deciding factor

d. Marnie becomes head of the project and Abe signs the contract

e. Nothing, Kat was trying to be funny and this has been taken out of context

Answer 1

1) Kat would be reasonably well known as a senior employee of the company and it is quite possible that what she speaks is taken as representative of the average employee at New Balance. In such a case people, especially from outside the company would evaluate her statements in the context of the workplace and would assign a degree of causality to that.

The nature of the comment, while not intentionally seeking to malign, is fairly flippant and casual. However, to a stranger it may seem rude or offensive to cab drivers. For people who are associated with cab drivers in a personal context e.g. family, friends etc. it would appear condescending even. Hence any of the options a,b,d would be applicable

2) Due to Kat's comment, Abe may have misconstrued it as discussed above. Given his experiences Abe is justified in feeling bad due to Kat's comments but one would also expect a reasonable level of tolerance in dealing with this situation. It is most likely that Abe will point out to the issue to Kat's Manager in all seriousness and becaus eit is one-off at this stage they would not take a knee-jerk reaction to Kat's comments without having spoken to her about it. It is likely that the matter will be discussed with Kat and she will probably receive some training on being more culturally aware.