Understanding microaggressions at work
May is a Chinese American, and she has recently started a job as a graphic designer in a large agency. She was giving her first presentation for a regular client, and everyone was excited about the concept she developed. After the presentation, the department head called her aside and said, "Great job, you have a promising future here! By the way, you speak English well. Where did you come from?"
What you've just read is an example of a workplace microaggression. Microaggressions are comments or actions that may be unintentional but are hurtful and hostile as they target someone's race, gender, religion, or else. Most often, they are aimed at underrepresented groups, but everyone can encounter such statements in their life.
Understanding and addressing microaggressions is essential to build a healthier workplace culture free from bias and hostility. They signal disrespect to other colleagues in your team and can hurt someone's feelings. The following statements are examples of microaggression:
- You're so different from all Asian Americans I know!
- The last quarter's market analysis was informative. You're very smart for a woman.
- You're so exotic-looking.
- Man up! You have to finish this today.
- Are you sure you want to be in charge of Instagram promotion? Aren't you too old for this?
- You don't look gay.
- You'd be so beautiful if you lost weight.
- You're Asian, aren't you good at math?
Microaggressions can target individuals or groups at work, yet such comments are a negative thing in both situations. The biggest issue with microaggressions is that many people use them unknowingly or say something believing it's a joke. That's why we developed this quiz. It will reveal how well you recognize microaggression. Plus, it will recommend how to increase your awareness and build a better, more respectful, and inclusive culture.
How do microaggressions impact any workplace?
Microaggressions can negatively impact individuals, especially those in minorities, and the work climate across the organization:
- Stress and anxiety. Verbal and non-verbal microaggressions can lead to psychological distress and anxiety in people who often hear unwanted statements or comments.
- Tense workplace relations. If some people or the entire team (it happens if microaggression comes from your boss) face microaggression, it can deteriorate team dynamics and well-being. People may feel isolated and included, and aren't willing to contribute to team success.
- Decreased job satisfaction. Microaggression goes hand in hand with a hostile environment. As a result, employees (not only the targets of microaggression) have lower job satisfaction and productivity.
- Increased turnover. People facing microaggressions feel that they are not valued, not appreciated, and not welcomed at work. It often leads to high turnover rates as such employees look for more comfortable work environments.
How do you address microaggression at work?
Beating the culture of microaggressions requires both individual and group efforts. You can get started by taking the test above to check your awareness and educate yourself. You may also approach the boss and suggest developing training to increase awareness of everyone. Offer the explanation of microaggression to the team and show how to move away from it.
If you became a target of microaggressions, here's what you can do:
- Find the right time to bring this up. For example, if your coworkers fail to use gender pronouns or make racist jokes, you can bring it up during the meeting or ask your supervisor to do it. Alternatively, if a coworker often confronts you, it's best to have a private conversation with them and communicate your point.
- Ask the person to clarify. If a coworker says something sexist or racist to you, try subtly confronting them on the spot. Say, if the person makes comments about your ethnicity, ask them extra questions making them expand their point of view. It can puzzle the person and make them reconsider their opinion.
- Challenge the stereotype. For example, when they ask you why you chose to be gay, you can share links to gender studies to educate the offender. Quite often, microaggression is rooted in limited knowledge about the race, religion, or gender of another person.
- Seek support. Make it clear that a coworker's words or actions offend you. Oftentimes, this is enough for someone to admit that their behavior isn't appropriate. If it doesn't work, seek the support of your supervisor. Leaders play a key role in creating a positive culture and beating microaggressions.
- Find a new job. If you feel mentally strained in a toxic environment, it might be the best solution to find a new job with a more positive and inclusive culture.
Beat the unconscious bias - take a free microaggression quiz
Microaggressions are a significant workplace issue. They can create hostility for all members of the team and jeopardize productivity. Take our short quiz to learn more about microaggressions and get personalized tips for increasing your awareness and improving workplace communication.
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