If you have ever felt like your job isn't the place to be yourself, you are not alone. While many people believe that their workplace should be a safe space for all employees, that is not always the case. In fact, some organizations can be downright hostile when it comes to racial bias or other forms of discrimination. If you are experiencing racism at work—or if you think someone else is experiencing it—here are five steps you can take for fighting racism in the workplace:
Document Everything
You should always keep a diary of incidents, especially if you are experiencing racism in the workplace. This is important for legal reasons, and it can also help you to have a clear idea of what happened at any given time.
Remember that anything written down can be used as evidence if necessary, so don't forget to keep copies of emails and written communication. You should also keep copies of any recorded conversations and take screenshots of social media posts where there are racist comments made about your colleagues or about yourself.
Ask Questions
Asking questions is the best way to get more information about what is happening and why. That is because people who are being racist often don't know it, so they haven't thought deeply about why they feel that way. As per the Intuit’s experts, “By asking them questions, you can learn more about their perspective and help them understand how their behavior is affecting others in the workplace.”
Talk To Your HR Department
Your HR department is a great resource for understanding your rights and options, especially if you feel that you don't have any. They can help you understand what is happening, how to handle it, and how best to approach the situation.
This might feel intimidating because it puts your complaint in writing, but remember that HR departments are there to help employees get through difficult situations in their workplace as smoothly as possible—and they are legally obligated to do so.
If you have been thinking about taking action against racism at work but haven't known where or how to start, contact your local human resources department today!
Report The Behavior
The next step is to report the behavior. You can do this to your boss, human resources department, supervisor, colleague or even a union representative. Additionally, if you feel like the behavior was discriminatory in nature, you can report it to a lawyer.
Practice Self-Care
Racism in the workplace can be stressful, and it is important to take time to relax and unwind. Here are some ways you can do that:
● Take breaks throughout the day to stretch your legs, get fresh air, or grab a snack.
● Consider trying new hobbies outside of work, so you have fun activities to look forward to on your days off from work.
● Talk with friends or family members about what is going on in your life—they will offer helpful advice for handling racism at work, as well as support when things get stressful or overwhelming (which is likely to happen often!).
The best way to deal with discrimination at work is to be prepared. Documenting behavior is a great first step, but it is important not to let yourself get too overwhelmed by all the paperwork and legalities involved in documenting your experience. Make sure that you also take care of yourself during this time, so you can continue working hard without letting your emotions affect your productivity or efficiency.