From the course: Dealing with Microaggression as an Employee

My experience as a marginalized employee

From the course: Dealing with Microaggression as an Employee

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My experience as a marginalized employee

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- Whether or not we like to admit it, we all carry bias. However, the history of bias and stereotyping connected to the experiences of marginalized people is far more complex, based on the systemic milestones the United States has faced. The impact of this is many well-intentioned individuals who are often unaware of their bias, beliefs, attitudes, and actions, and this results in inequities within our relationships and a profoundly negative impact in diminishing the value and humanity of individuals and marginalized groups. But in the workplace, this can negatively impact work performance and team dynamics. According to a study by SurveyMonkey and Fortune, 26% of Americans have admitted to experiencing a microaggression at work. 36% have admitted to witnessing one, and 22% are just unsure. So what does that mean? Microaggressions are more common than we may think, but equally as confusing, and addressing microaggressions requires a multifaceted approach. Hi, I'm Toni Howard Lowe, a career and workforce inclusion strategist, and I've spent years partnering with best-in-class organizations, advocating for women and underrepresented groups in the workplace. I challenge organizations to eradicate pay and equity disparities and representation gaps in their workforce. In this course, we'll talk through defining microaggressions, how to validate your experiences, how to address microaggressions, both past and present, and I'll even share a few personal stories and real world examples to help you along this journey. This is going to be a unique opportunity, where, together, we'll explore the nuances and complexities of microaggression and their impacts. But let me share first, this is a tough topic to tackle. It might trigger emotions from past experiences, or it might cause resistance, and that's okay. Together, our goal is to uncover microaggressions, validate your experiences, provide you with the right tools, and help you become an advocate for safer spaces. So when you're ready, take a deep breath, step forward, and lean into confronting microaggressions with honesty and courage.

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