A Port Elizabeth woman who allegedly referred to a colleague and his union representatives as “monkeys” has been suspended for using the racial slur at the offices of Workforce Staffing in Newton Park.
Branch manager Sharnay Schwartz Scribante was recorded on a cellphone using the racial slur when talking to another colleague.
This comes as the use of the word is back in the spotlight after Hot91.9FM radio host Sasha Martinengo allegedly called EFF leader Julius Malema a monkey on Tuesday.
Scribante was recorded on September 27 after she had days earlier allegedly referred to other black colleagues as monkeys.
In the recording, Scribante is heard talking to a woman about work issues when she suddenly allegedly refers to a black colleague and his union representatives outside as monkeys.
“All those monkeys are standing outside with Lerato.
“One of them apparently says he does not want to go to the meeting,” she allegedly says.
Contacted for comment, Scribante said: ““I cannot comment on something that I know nothing about.”
But her lawyer, Dean Murray, said that once they had consulted and heard the recording they would issue a statement.
Workforce Staffing, which has an international footprint, is a staffing and recruitment company.
After the company’s marketing assistant, Takatso Motsepe, was contacted for comment on Thursday, Scribante was suspended on Friday.
Workforce Staffing managing director Sean Momberg said the matter was being investigated.
“We are passionate about uplifting people and the creation of not only jobs, but sustainable opportunities for our employees and we distance ourselves from, and condemn, any forms of discrimination,” he said.
“Any employee who does not uphold the company’s core values and ethos will be held accountable.
“Allegations of discrimination are strictly dealt with in accordance with the company’s policies and procedures.”
He said employee wellness mechanisms were available for employees, including emotional support services for those who might be affected or feel aggrieved by the alleged actions of Scribante.
“We will further ensure the implementation of sensitivity training for all our employees,” Momberg said.
“We regret to learn of these allegations and apologise to any employees affected by the errant actions of a single employee.”
A staff member, who asked not be named, said he had been shocked by the recording.
“I felt cold chills down my spine. She was not even provoked,” the man said.
“It was a normal meeting, where she just [allegedly] called people monkeys.”
He claimed that Scribante would often come into the office and tell them how lazy they were.
“But we just assumed this was her management style.
“Then this one time she [allegedly] referred to some of us as monkeys. We were shocked that people can still say these things in 2018.”
He said they had then decided to record the next meeting with Scribante on September 27.
“And at that next meeting, she said it again.
“It is very difficult to work here when someone regards you as a monkey.
“I could walk away but that would just leave my children hungry.
“We just want this exposed. The morale is now dead in this office.”
Another staff member, who also declined to be named, said it was appalling that such a word was still used to describe black people.
“I am not sure what makes her comfortable to feel this way where she can call black people monkeys.”
She said the first time Scribante allegedly used the word was about three weeks ago, but staff members had just assumed it was a slip of the tongue.
“But this was clearly not the case,” the woman said.
“That is why it was decided to record the meeting and it was pure luck that she did it again – when she just blurted the word out.”