Overview
A respectful workplace provides the necessary foundation for an inclusive workplace. This course goes beyond what is legal versus illegal to review the boundaries of respectful workplace conduct. We will discuss the potential barriers to a respectful workplace, including unconscious bias, and how to reduce or eliminate those barriers.
Major Topics:
- The role of respect in creating an inclusive workplace. A respectful workplace is one in which all employees feel comfortable bringing their best selves and best contributions to the workplace.
- Teaching employees a “red light, yellow light, green light” framework, which is a tool for expressing discomfort with co-worker conduct. This tool helps employees learn to express their comfort or discomfort about certain conduct (for example, an inappropriate nickname or comment) to co-workers in a safe, respectful way.
- Common “derailers” — things that derail efforts to create a respectful workplace, including workplace gossip, ignoring mistakes, and unconscious bias
- Strategies for reducing the impact of these derailers
- Unconscious bias, including the five defining characteristics of unconscious bias
- A framework for handling mistakes and using them to build trust and respect in the workplace
Learning Objectives
- Understand the differences between a respectful, inclusive workplace and one that is lacking in these
- Detail how individuals can help create a more inclusive work environment. (Note: The focus is on things within an employee’s control, such as greeting all co-workers and practicing active listening.)
- Know how respect and inclusion foster a better work environment and can lead to better results for everyone
- Be aware of unconscious processes at play in decision-making, including when co-workers decide who will be included in group projects, co-worker social circles, informal mentoring, and similar activities. (Again, the focus is on things within an employee’s control.)
- Strategize to reduce/eliminate the impact inaccurate biases can have on decision making
- Share how to recover from a mistake, in a way that builds trust, respect, and a foundation for an inclusive workplace
Designed for:
This course is designed for employees who are not supervisors, managers, or executives. If you are looking to train your managers, supervisors, or executives on unconscious bias, we recommend Unconscious Bias for Managers, Supervisors, and Executives (BC
Prerequisite:
None
Advanced Preparation:
None