I know this is a little bit self serving, but...I just don't know what to do. Since this is the place that has the most brainpower of anyplace I've been lately, I'm turning to you for help, or, at least, an opinion. So let it fly. Give it to me straight.
UPDATE: I'd like to clarify a few things. I do not think for a moment that my company, a large multinational business, nor my local 'bosses' either endorse or accept this behavior. Tonight, after my diary, the midlevel manager spoke to this graffiti to everyone as a group. Apparently, he said that it would not be tolerated, that when/if the perp was discovered, it would be grounds for immediate dismissal-because "some people find it offensive". I say apparently, because I wasn't there, I called in unable to work this evening. Honestly, I was unsure that I wouldn't do as several have suggested below, and did not want to be involved in any altercation, either verbal or physical. What I told my boss when I called in, is "that I was sickened by seeing swastika's at my workplace. You know, swastika's, the symbol of hate & violence." He said he'd put me down as "called in", and that was pretty much it. And then later he gathered everyone together & said what I have related. Needless to say, I feel MUCH better about my workplace. I would quickly add that I did say up front that I do not believe that this crap was a commonly held belief of my co-workers...
I really do appreciate your thoughts and advice. I can certainly feel where you're coming from, and am always grateful to hear what someone smart has to say...you smarties. One of the wisest(wise-est?) of you hit me hard with 10 words below. You said that this is a time when my true colors will shine through, and you are correct. I shall not be a snitch, and most assuredly not a coward. I will not add to & abet the violence of the symbol I see, not continue the hatred, not stoop down to the level of the ignorant that display it. But, you can be sure I will not allow this to pass by unchecked, or unremarked upon. I fully expect one of my bosses to call me into the office on my next workday, and discuss this in some way. I won't need to even tell him I know who the creep is, since prior to meeting with him, I will speak to the creep. I seriously doubt that he will ever scribble a swastika again in my workplace after I lay the facts on him. I appreciate the concern some of you have voiced as well. I do not think that there is some big underground Neo-Nazi network at my job, or even in the town-well, maybe the town...but at any rate, I have told several people around me about this, as well as who the asshat is. I have told my boss I don't like it, and he responded in a 'reasonable' fashion. So, should 'something' happen to me or my 'stuff', well, it'll be a quick trial for him...
Thank you for your kind consideration, time, wisdom, and words. Now I've got a reason to get outta bed tomorrow...
Oh, my, where to start. Well, I'll dispense with all of the prequel. Here's where I am now. I am in ok financial shape. I really can't see me losing my home-by which you should infer that I own one-along with my buddies at the bank. I probably won't go hungry no matter what. But my happiness, well, that's another thing altogether.
You see, I moved to my present location after my wife passed away at 46 yrs of age from ovarian cancer. My marriage was collapsing, but, she was great. Ask anyone who knew her, and they'd tell you-Melissa was a good person, and certainly didn't deserve her fate. God rest her soul. But here I am, living a whole new life in a whole new place.
It seems that I moved into the Twilight Zone... I currently have a retirement income that pays my mortgage, and pays most of my bills in so far as heat, propane, electric, gas, phone, insurance, etc.. I know I'm VERY LUCKY in that I'm only 48-millions would love to be in my position. I will just say that I came by my retirement income in an extremely difficult & unfortunate way, and that way had nothing to do with my wife's passing. So, I need to work. I would like a vacation someday, and I'll need a new car eventually, and booze-gotta have a drink once in a while, right? So, I work. I am not able to work in the occupation that once was my identidy-an urban paramedic, so I take what I can get. And where I live, that means $10./hr at a good job, $8.00/hr at a bad one... Since this Fella is a lucky guy(HA!), I found a place that pays me only $9.50/hr-BUT, but...it may lead to another position at my employer that pays $30.00/hr, plus 1-4hrs of overtime daily!! Wow!
Here's the rub. I work at a place that has had swastika's showing up, written onto pieces of equipment. I'm neither Jewish nor a gypsy, artist, gay, or any other group slaughtered by Nazi's, but, just the same, it nauseates me to see that shit at my workplace. My bosses know about it, and, honestly, I don't think it in any way represents the common attitude of my co-workers. But, swastika's at work. WTF? Ok, ready to get weirder? I saw the asshole doing the scribbling.
What do I do? Quit? How can I work with people-or even one douche-nozzle who thinks it's ok to put swastika's on work stuff? I can't see turning him in...cuz Dad said I could be anything I want to be, except a coward or a snitch. Make waves about it? Well, I work in a place that pays people $10./hr, and thinks I should be happy to have a job. Trust me, my employer won't miss me when some other clown steps up to take my job. Sue? For what...a hostile work enviroment? Good luck to me-I think my house would be burned down before a jury around here would fix things. I need the money. I can't go without, as I'm already tiring of beans, rice, and tortillas.
While my more base instincts tell me to just kick the little loser's ass in the name of 3 million dead Jews and Poles(I am Polish...), I am adverse to jail time...
So, your opinion please. What the hell do I do now?