Workplace Bias

Breakroom Exercise

Unconscious bias - Attitudes and beliefs that occur outside of our conscious awareness and control. Unconscious biases are learned stereotypes that are automatic, unintentional, and deeply ingrained, and able to inadvertently influence decisions and behavior.

Explicit bias - Attitudes and beliefs we are consciously aware we have about a person or group and behaviors are conducted with intent.

Discrimination - The unjust, unequal, or prejudicial treatment of different categories of people.

Harassment - Unwelcome and sometimes unlawful conduct that demeans, insults, and offends an employee.

Workplace Bias Categories: age/generation, race/ethnicity, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, personality, maternity, parental, religion, color, ancestry, marital status, arrest and court records, name, horn effect, halo effect, contrast effect, affinity, intuition, conformity, attribution, confirmation, authority, status quo, attractiveness, weight, disability, etc.

1. What harassment or discrimination have you noticed or experienced in current and/or previous work environments due to biases? Include the category.

2. How have you responded to workplace biases and unjust treatment?

3. If you spoke up, why?

4. If you did nothing, why?

5. What was the result of your action or inaction?

6. How have your biases affected a co-worker or a client/customer?

7. Did you do anything to make amends with the person you affected?

8. Was your attempt to make amends successful?

9. If you did not try to make amends, why?

10. What would you like to see done to correct biases and unjust treatment in the workplace?