Thinking About Workplace Microaggression Scenarios
In this section, we will equip you with the knowledge to identify microaggressions when they occur. We will focus on common workplace scenarios and role-play exercises. Recognizing these behaviours is crucial for creating a workplace that values diversity and respects all employees.
Let’s consider some of the following scenarios where microaggressions may occur in the workplace:
- Biased Team Meeting: In this situation, a team member might consistently interrupt and dismiss the ideas of a colleague from an underrepresented group.
- Unconscious Bias in Hiring: In this situation, a hiring panel may have unconscious bias in the selection process.
- Stereotyping in Team Communication: In this situation, stereotypical remarks may emerge during workplace discussions and there may be uncertainty about how to respond.
There are all situations where microaggressions may occur in the workplace. Choose one of the examples above and take the time to reflect on the following questions:
How did you find this exercise? What is difficult to reflect on these scenarios, or did something immediately come to mind? Reflecting on microaggressions and how we can recognize and react to them, is the first step to preventing them from occurring the workplace.
Did You Know?
Unintentional vs. Intentional Microaggressions
Some microaggressions appear as accidental slips, while others are done on purpose. An intentional microaggression can be making a derogatory comment about an Indigenous individual’s traditional attire with the intention of being hurtful, while unintentional microaggression can be asking an Indigenous person about their “costume” without realizing how belittling that term can be.
Responding to Microaggressions
Let’s now think about how we would respond in situations where some common place microaggressions occur in the workplace.
Go through the following scenarios and select the best way of responding to each one based on what you have learned, and what you know about microaggression in the workplace.
