You're facing microaggressions in the workplace. How can you foster a more inclusive culture?
Navigating a workplace riddled with microaggressions can be disheartening and challenging. Microaggressions are the everyday, subtle, intentional — and oftentimes unintentional — interactions or behaviors that communicate some sort of bias toward historically marginalized groups. Whether it's a seemingly innocuous joke or an offhand comment about someone's ability, these actions can create an environment that feels exclusive and unwelcoming. You might wonder how you can create a shift towards a more inclusive culture where everyone feels valued and respected. It starts with understanding the impact of these microaggressions and actively working to address and prevent them.
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Create an inclusion department:Establishing a dedicated team ensures there's always someone to support both the recipient and the source of microaggressions, fostering understanding and change.
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Address immediately and educate:When you see a microaggression happen, calmly explain the impact right then and there. It's a chance to enlighten, not blame, building awareness one conversation at a time.