I have always been fascinated by organisational cultures, and the dynamic of what is perceived as the norm in organisations.
But what happens when the organisation culture breeds unacceptable norm?
I have had a recent experience in which the hidden racism was the norm in the office., and it went against the values the parent company was trying to promote, and the claims of the senior management.
I perfectly understand that the culture of the organisation influences how the employees are treated, and as a result of my understanding I chose to leave.
However, I can't help but wonder how politically incorrect behaviour find its way to become a norm in an organisation?
People and countries spent decades fighting racism, why is it still acceptable to practice hidden racism in the workplace in developing countries?
Also, international organisations are perceived to have a corporate social responsibility to the communities they establish themselves in.
Being an organisation which comes from a developed country, the values it promotes should be, at the very least, legal at the country of origin, let alone the promotional role of the organisation as socially responsible.
When I spoke to my manager pointing out this aspect of the organisation culture as I submitted my resignation I was quite disappointed with his reply.
I am glad to have moved on to another company, but I still wonder; do international organisations struggle to live up to their role of sustainably developing people in developing countries by sustaining a fair organisational culture?
Or is it that it's easier to just look the other way…
