Talking About Cancel Culture in the Workplace

Although cancel culture was initially intended to hold people in positions of authority accountable, it has negatively impacted the workplace at times. Addressing cancel culture’s advantages and disadvantages may be necessary depending on your professional context. You can take steps to improve the workplace by facilitating conversations to correct issues caused by cancel culture.

By Timothy Mably

Cancel culture initially impacted Hollywood and specific industries, but has found its way into the most mundane workplaces. It can look different depending on the industry, with varying positives and negatives. Regardless of the specific setting, people can be “canceled” for a range of reasons. Whether a person committed sexual harassment and is rightly fired or someone is discovered to have posted something questionable online years earlier, they may be shunned by peers.

According to a Pew Research Center survey, 61% of adults have become familiar with cancel culture, which is up from 44% in 2020. Since “cancel culture” has turned into a loaded term, it has become increasingly challenging to address in a nuanced conversation. Consider how you can thoughtfully talk about cancel culture in the workplace to push toward progress.

Executive coach and consultant Lacey Leone McLaughlin has stepped into many sectors, such as aerospace, construction, entertainment, and tech. She has seen cancel culture play out in many ways, influenced by differing expectations of an environment. She says, “On the positive end, it has created accountability for many exhibiting bad behaviors, which was much needed. On the opposing end, it has created a culture of fear for some.”

Negatives of Cancel Culture

Although cancel culture has contributed to a greater sense of accountability and integrity in the workplace, Lacey has also observed anxiety as a result. Some have referred to cancel culture’s evolution as an “overcorrection,” concerned with penalizing people who cause the smallest offense.?

She explains that supervisors and bosses in particular may be less likely to speak up. She says, “Leaders can be afraid to get it wrong, with a comment taken out of context or quoted incorrectly. It can create a culture of fear, where people don't speak up with their opinions, feedback, or ideas.”

Lacey believes she has also witnessed harm caused by cancel culture in the general communication of professional atmospheres. She says, “When a culture stifles conversation, it prevents people from making valuable contributions. Leaders need to find a balance between holding people accountable while making sure they're cultivating a culture where everyone feels comfortable voicing their thoughts.”

Gossip in the workplace may be intended by employees to create a bond among co-workers. However, it’s easy for it to get out of control if a conversation is redirected in a hostile manner because someone has caused offense. Whether something was said to upset someone else, or signals were misunderstood, cancel culture can lead to premature responses from workers.

If you have experienced cancel culture’s effects based on such a misunderstanding, it may be necessary to communicate what has happened to try and clear the air. If it doesn’t help the situation and things have still been misconstrued, consider speaking with management or HR directly. If neither helps to resolve the situation and tensions continue, it could be worth seeking new employment.

Your situation may qualify as workplace bullying and gaslighting. Workplace bullying expert and culture consultant Catherine Mattice suggests keeping a record of things as they occur so you can approach HR with documentation. If there’s a group of workers who have attempted to cancel you, this can help show your perspective is valid. Mattice says you should ask, “What are your goals and expected outcomes? Are you just wanting to impart information, or do you want HR to take action? What kind of action are you expecting?”

Positives of Cancel Culture

It’s important to acknowledge both the positive and negative when tackling the issues raised by cancel culture in the workplace. Despite the negative impact of cancel culture, it has also contributed to safer work environments. Just as some may feel uncomfortable due to anxiety, some may feel more comfortable with emphasized social and physical boundaries.

Throughout the past five years, Lacey has seen numerous positive changes in workplace cultures. She says, “Leaders/companies are taking issues of bad behaviors more seriously. Both companies and leaders are being held accountable for acting and doing the ‘right’ thing when issues surface.”

Leaders have become increasingly aware of issues that employees face from a variety of backgrounds. She says, “Both staff and management are more careful about the language they use in the workplace. Many changes needed to occur in the workplace, which were long overdue.”

Correcting Issues of Cancel Culture

After acknowledging the positives and negatives of cancel culture, you can attempt to pursue progress in the workplace. Having perspective on both the benefits and disadvantages will help facilitate a nuanced conversation .

Lacey believes that the “overcorrection” in the workplace can be seen more clearly by creating distance and reconsidering past situations. She says, “Professionals can correct the overreaction to cancel culture by stepping back, taking a break, thinking, and making informed decisions.”

She explains that leaders must create a culture in which accountability occurs, but everyone feels comfortable communicating and growing together . She says, “We also need to create a culture where organizations can investigate and decide if wrongdoing has taken place, and if they do mess up and take accountability, and have a path to growth and development.”

It won’t be an easy task to navigate such change in the workplace. However, reforming cancel culture to better reflect its original intentions will ensure that everyone feels equally comfortable.

Top Takeaways

How can cancel culture in the workplace provide benefits and cause issues?

• According to a Pew Research Center survey, 61% of adults have become familiar with cancel culture, which is up from 44% in 2020.
• Despite the negative impact of cancel culture, it has also contributed to safer work environments.
• Some have referred to cancel culture’s evolution as an “overcorrection,” concerned with penalizing people who cause the smallest offense.?
• If you have experienced cancel culture’s effects based on such a misunderstanding, it may be necessary to communicate what has happened to try and clear the air.
• After acknowledging the positives and negatives of cancel culture, you can attempt to pursue progress in the workplace.?