Hidden Racism in a Workplace: Here’s What You Need to Know About It

Racism is one of the most common forms of discrimination that exist in human society. Racism in a Workplace is not only wrong but also illegal and it can affect employees both financially and emotionally. Most times, we might think employees are rewarded based solely on their job performance, but that’s not always the case.

Read on to learn more about racism in the workplace, and how you can identify it.

What is Racism in a Workplace? 

Racism in a workplace is a demoralizing process by which employees of color are intimidated, sidelined, and bullied.  It is an unfavorable treatment that you receive for being part of a certain race, or ethnic background or because you have personal characteristics associated with such a race. Those characteristics can include things like hair texture, skin color, and other facial features.

How to Identify Racism in a Workplace?

Racism can be difficult to identify in a workplace. Sometimes it’s easy to spot, but other times, it’s subtle enough that you’re not sure it really happened.

Alicia Richardson, Founder of Black Create Connect, shares a painful instance of racism she faced as a black woman in the workspace:

“I recall a time where I was having lunch with six work colleagues, who all happened to be black, and the CEO approached us asking us to separate and mingle with everyone else – who happened to be non-black. This was a form of racial harassment as he only approached our group of black employees on our lunch break and asked us to separate. I remember looking at my colleague to say: “Is this normal here?” And he said: “This is what he does all the time.”

Unfortunately, in many cases, it is impossible to prove that someone has been the victim of illegal racial discrimination. Unless an employer immediately comes out and admits it, or the employer slips up and shows discriminatory intent, it can be difficult to focus on exactly what happened.

However, there are times when it is obvious that an employer is discriminating against someone on the basis of race. Some examples include:

• When a less qualified person is being hired by a candidate of another race
• When a less qualified person has been promoted by an employee of another race
• Hiring practices, testing, or workplace policies that select for certain races

If you find yourself in any form of racism at your workplace, your first step should be to try to resolve it through your Human Resources department first. I will suggest the following steps;

1. 1. Seek support from your HR or an external employee resource group.
   2. Record every instance of discrimination
   3. Write down every conversation that is questionable

• Link each event to its various type as seen below.

Types of Discrimination

Direct vs. Indirect

Direct: This is when an employee is treated poorly in a clear and visible way based on age, gender, race, ethnicity, or ideology.

Indirect: When a rule or policy set by an employer places people from certain racial, ethnic, or national groups at a disadvantage.

Racial Harassment

It can include any unwanted conduct related to an employee’s race, that creates an offensive environment.

Stereotyping

Portrays false generalizations and attributes the same characteristics to all members of a particular group. (If you have a mindset that people from certain groups operate the same, think again, erase your opinion, and get to know each individual for who they are.)

Overcritical

Managers must be mindful of how fair the criticism is to all staff, particularly minority groups, reacting quickly to criticisms that go a step too far.

Hostility

Where differences of opinion or failure to get along with a co-worker may be treated as more serious due to the hostility held against them.

How to Reduce Discrimination In a Workplace

Aside from setting clear rules that explain the regulations that each employee must follow in order not to discriminate against others, as well as the rights that each one has,  employees should also be mindful of how their actions or words can emotionally affect others.

Here’s a handy “Do” list  that will help you be a better ally to decrease discrimination in the workplace.

1. Be open to listening
2. Be aware of your biases
3. Research, never stop learning – Remember you don’t know it all
4. Acknowledge the part you play
5. Use your privilege to speak up
6. Accept criticism with grace, even if it’s uncomfortable
7. Do the work every day to learn how to be a better ally