B&H emails back a response regarding allegations

swanlake1 · Oct 17, 2015

Sent a email to B&H saying the current allegations floating around were making me think twice about buying there. Here's their response, which I thought I would share for any comments, etc.

Thank you for reaching out to inquire about the recent news articles you've seen. At B&H we value your feedback and appreciate your concern for our business and our staff. Allegations in the public are just that, allegations; and we would like to take the opportunity to set the record straight.

B&H Photo is a classic New York business who recognizes we could not have grown from where we began to what we are now without the dedication and contribution of our employees, each of whom is a valued team member. Employee satisfaction is as important to us, and as vital to us, as customer satisfaction. The two are intertwined. Our commitment to our employees runs as deep as it does to our loyal customer base. They are the reasons we are here and to both we are eternally grateful.

We have committed, devoted, hard-working employees who earn above-average industry salaries, generous benefit packages, 17 paid days off annually, and 3-weeks paid vacation time. Our average employee tenure in our distribution and fulfillment center is more than five years. We provide terrific benefits, highly competitive wages and a safe, friendly environment.

B&H has a strong and independent human resources department which strictly adheres to workplace regulations. We take matters of employee safety seriously and are committed to reaching even higher standards to ensure that we live up to our own expectations commensurate with the excellent reputation we have fostered over many years.

As to the matter of union representation, our employees have the right to seek such representation. It is a decision to be made by our employees, and there is a process underway to resolve that question.

-- -
regards,
Henry Posner
Director of Corporate Communications
B&H Photo-Video, and Pro-Audio
http://www.bandh.com/

OptiKen · Oct 17, 2015

Harry sent me the same letter.
I thought it was a decent response

swanlake1 · Oct 17, 2015

OptiKen said:
Harry sent me the same letter.
I thought it was a decent response

Oh, so you know Harry, too?

shoot6x7 · Oct 17, 2015

I've had dealings with Henry Posner in the past and he was very helpful.

swanlake1 · Oct 17, 2015

If it is true the average tenure of employment in their distribution and fulfillment center is more than five years, that doesn't sound too bad to me.

Sirius Glass · Oct 17, 2015

Henry is a good guy.

Thank you for posting the response.

JLP · Oct 17, 2015

I don't know of any Harry at B&H but Henry Posner is always responding very quickly to direct emails despite being busy running his large photographic business.

Paul Goutiere · Oct 18, 2015

They have an interesting history. From Wikipedia https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/B&H_Photo_Video

"In October 2007, it was announced that B&H Photo agreed to pay US$4.3 million to settle allegations that it discriminated against Hispanic workers.[6]

In November 2009, a lawsuit against B&H Photo alleged that the store refused to hire women, in violation of New York City and New York State Human Rights Laws.[7] The lawsuit, brought by four women, sought class action status on behalf of all women discriminated against by B&H over the course of many years.[8] Given B&H's prior alleged discriminatory practices,[6] the lawsuit sought US$19 million in compensatory and punitive damages in order to deter future discriminatory practices.[9]

In 2011, another lawsuit alleged discrimination against Hispanic workers."

pbromaghin · Oct 18, 2015

Well, what we see as racism and discrimination, Hassidic Jews see as separation from non-believers. It looks like racism to us, but it really is Everybody-Else-But-Us-Ism. They would have just as dim a view of me, a White Anglo-Saxon Protestant. Quite a challenge to the American ideal of tolerance. Must we force everybody to be tolerant, or should we be tolerant of their intolerance?

Ken Nadvornick · Oct 18, 2015

pbromaghin said:
Well, what we see as racism and discrimination, Hassidic Jews see as separation from non-believers. It looks like racism to us, but it really is Everybody-Else-But-Us-Ism. They would have just as dim a view of me, a White Anglo-Saxon Protestant. Quite a challenge to the American ideal of tolerance. Must we force everybody to be tolerant, or should we be tolerant of their intolerance?

Interesting question. Perhaps the best answer might indeed be the latter option? To allow for their intolerance regarding non-believers (or more accurately from their perspective, simply a justifiable preference for association with true-believers) by actively supporting the separation from them they desire.

Of course, total and complete separation would obviously also preclude doing any sort of business with them. Either by visiting their store directly, or browsing indirectly on the Internet.

It seems obvious to me that if I need to purchase something that can also be found elsewhere, it would then be nothing less than abusive toward their religious beliefs for me to disregard their desire for separation and attempt to selfishly force them to interact with me against their will. How rude would that be on my part? I would need to exhibit a greater degree of tolerance than that, and just stay away entirely.

I grew up respecting all religions and the people who choose to believe in them. One of the very first lessons taught in my high school civics classes was that we are supposed to be a pluralistic society. I would never dream of forcing my own religious beliefs on others. Especially when doing do might affect someone's ability to earn a living and feed their families...

Ken

mrred · Oct 18, 2015

I am in no way defending real issues that B&H may / may not have.

Paul, citing one case settled out of court (no judgement) and two still open is not proof of any kind that anything did occur. It just proves that layers are getting fed.

pbromaghin, some valid points. I worked for a company owned by a Lebanese owner strongly attached to a christian church. Most of the people working there were Lebanese and members of his church. I was an odd man out, being about as WASPy as you can get. In this reguard, I looked at the business as any family run business; it actively excluded anyone but family and I was an exception. I don't think there is a problem here. How would you file suit for a family run corner store because you were not born of the same mother?

When you look at family or community run businesses, hiring practices should not be considered to be black and white.

mrred · Oct 18, 2015

And that's your right. But you need to use more than "just because" if you want to convince me to believe you and consider your reason as being a valid one for me.

mike c · Oct 18, 2015

I believe that B&H has a lot of money and some poor type lawyers would like some of that money. "The Have's and the Have-nots"

Kyle M. · Oct 18, 2015

I personally do not care one iota if they keep their workers in chains and poke them with pointy sticks. B&H sells what I need/want, they have good prices, and they have fast cheap shipping. I will continue to buy what I can't buy locally from them until such a time comes as I no longer need these products or they go out of business. It is none of my business or concern how they treat their employees.

Dali · Oct 18, 2015

Kyle M. said:
I personally do not care one iota if they keep their workers in chains and poke them with pointy sticks. B&H sells what I need/want, they have good prices, and they have fast cheap shipping. I will continue to buy what I can't buy locally from them until such a time comes as I no longer need these products or they go out of business. It is none of my business or concern how they treat their employees.

Yeah, you are right,"me, myself and I" is the way to go, isn't?

What would you say if you were kept in chains, poked with pointy sticks and no one would care?

Yes, it is your concern how they treat their employees. This is why we live in democracy and have laws. And above that there is personal ethics but reading your statement, I doubt you know what it is about.

Jim Jones · Oct 18, 2015

Political correctness can be overdone, as in some of the powerful countries with which we Americans have quarreled during my lifetime. Employment should be an agreement between employer and employee, not a right of only one party. I retired from military service, where entitlement is sometimes emphasized over ability. Military service is a service, not an entitlement. About a million Americans, mostly in their prime, have given their life in the service of their country. Tragically, some were drafted against their will. Our country and businesses should be free to select the most suitable members from all the willing applicants, not to be hobbled by quotas and threats of discrimination. When a country or a business can no longer find willing employees, it needs to reform itself.

fotch · Oct 18, 2015

Holy crap Batman, what's next?

swanlake1 · Oct 18, 2015

Why don't you guys all send letters to B&H voicing your concerns. That way they'll know people want the businesses they deal with to be ethical.

Also, since this is a union dispute, there are two sides to the story and the union is trying to embarrass the company through the media.

BrianShaw · Oct 18, 2015

According to Henry, they know that already. What's your dog in this fight?

swanlake1 · Oct 18, 2015

BrianShaw said:
According to Henry, they know that already. What's your dog in this fight?

Well, I love B&H and want to continue shopping there, but I don't like the idea of mistreatment of workers. I was really turned off by Amazon after the stories of the warehouses in Pennsylvania came out, so I stopped shopping there.

BrianShaw · Oct 18, 2015

You may need to adopt an Amish lifestyle then. Business is not always able to meet everyone's views on ethicality. Or wait until allegations are proven.

swanlake1 · Oct 18, 2015

BrianShaw said:
You may need to adopt an Amish lifestyle then. Business is not always able to meet everyone's views on ethicality. Or wait until allegations are proven.

So true, and all I want to buy is some Tri-X film...

BrianShaw · Oct 18, 2015

If you prefer to not shop there at this time, there are alternative suppliers. Get some and enjoy!

henryp · Oct 18, 2015

shoot6x7 said:
I've had dealings with Henry Posner in the past and he was very helpful.

Thank you. Much appreciated!

henryp · Oct 18, 2015

Paul Goutiere said:
They have an interesting history.

When the 2007 matter was settled, the EEOC said, "We commend B & H for working cooperatively with us to resolve this matter without protracted litigation, said EEOC New York Trial Attorney Lou Graziano. We encourage other employers to follow B & Hs example of resolving discrimination cases expeditiously and in good faith.

The other two suits were dismissed I believe.

B&H emails back a response regarding allegations

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