Systemic Racism in the Workplace

For centuries, institutional racism has led to disparities experienced by blacks. As a result, blacks are disproportionately incarcerated, accrue less wealth, lack educational resources, and face many other challenges. In addition to these barriers, blacks are frequently neglected in the workplace. Often do blacks find difficulty receiving promotions or similar pay as their co-workers, sometimes who share the same job title. This is largely due to systemic racism, but also because of social factors that hinder the success of blacks in their place of employment. In an increasingly strained social climate, blacks and activists are calling for change in the workplace. Unfortunately, exposing workplace bias can be difficult as much of it is unconscious, or learned stereotypes that someone may be unaware they are projecting onto another. Furthermore, racism in the workplace are cultivated through indirect discrimination, microaggressions, harassment, and other forms of violence directed at blacks who often have little to no authority within their jobs. Cultural standards often predicate the many instances of workplace racism, where looking and speaking a certain way influence how blacks are treated.

In an attempt to dismantle racism in the workplace, companies, down to their employees, must strive to eliminate personal biases and make substantial improvements to practices and policies that often deter blacks from being promoted, or even hired. Despite a number of companies going public to announce they are anti-racist amidst the protests–in response to the death of George Floyd–talking about race in the workplace should remain a priority in an effort to promote a more inclusive space for black employees. In addition to these conversations, diversifying leadership positions and incorporating employees who share different identities into the workplace can reduce the likelihood of favoritism for a position. Companies often reiterate their policies that aim to promote more diversity, but it is not uncommon for a company’s practices to result in less inclusivity. Taking a closer look at a company’s practices may lead to the discovery of exclusion from the hiring process, to employee schedules. Aside from having conversations about race and making changes to internal policy, researchers suggest that companies offer diversity training for employees to learn more about how to be less impartial to others from different backgrounds. Listening and responding to feedback from black employees is another way to promote a more diverse workplace, especially when responding comes in the form of changes that target the effects of systemic racism.

All in all, racism in the workplace is difficult to eliminate due to discriminatory practices on an institutional level that have become common over time. What isn’t difficult, however, is our ability to educate one another on ways in which we can promote fair and uplifting workplaces for blacks. In the digital era, resources and information are readily available to those who wish to confront and challenge racism in their workplace. Though education is important, eliminating racism in the workplace starts by being aware of biases that affect the way we view others. Only then can we move forward in changing the way blacks are treated in the workplace.

Happy Juneteenth!

Woodline Gedeon, CEO of Kayou Global Consulting