Racial microaggressions in the workplace affect individuals’ self-confidence and sense of belonging, and they also diminish an organization’s ability to be competitive and innovative, George Brown College President Dr. Gervan Fearon said on a recent podcast.
Fearon was a guest on the Fostering an Inclusive Workplace: Understanding Microaggressions and their Impact podcast. The show is produced by TD Bank to help employees understand the problem and work toward creating a more inclusive workplace.
Microaggressions are comments, actions or insults made knowingly or unknowingly that are directed towards people who are visible minorities. They can take the form of backhanded compliments or comments that make someone feel like they don’t belong, or that they aren’t respected as an individual.
“Clearly people who are subject to microaggressions in the workplace will have a sense that their contributions to the organization, their creativity and their innovation are less valued and less respected and that they are less respected as individuals,” Fearon said.
“Ultimately all of these items then turn up in terms of challenging the kind of productivity, creativity and even the profitability of organizations as well as the placement of our organizations and teams within the broader context of society.”
Fearon shared his experiences with microaggressions and gave his advice on how to handle them.
Anti-racism efforts at George Brown College
The George Brown community continues its efforts to create an equitable and inclusive learning and working environment.
Learn more about actions we’re taking on the Anti-Racism at George Brown College page.
