Microaggressions can happen anywhere but are they happening in your workplace? Microaggressions are commonplace verbal, behavioral, and/or environmental indignities, whether intentional or unintentional, that communicate derogatory or negative attitudes toward culturally marginalized groups.
In a 2019 Deloitte inclusion survey of 3,000 full-time U.S. professionals, research indicated 64% of respondents said they either experienced and/or witnessed bias in the workplace within the last year. While 83% of those professionals said the bias took the form of microaggressive behaviors.
So how do you recognize something potentially commonplace? There's no exact science, but let's be wise and pay attention to patterns in behavior or language such as (dismissive, flippant, actions that undermine or seek to exclude), tone ( irritated, hostile, intimidating), Body language (excludes, defensive, aggressive). Being mindful will go along way toward securing your workplace from inappropriate behavior. Proper training and a thorough orientation upon hire will alert staff to appropriate interactions with fellow staff members. Staving off many of these unfortunate incidents. Make sure you have an open-door policy that works. If there are rules and regulations in place be sure to enforce them when necessary.
Above all the workplace should be a safe place for us all to interact and grow!
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