Making Space at Work to Process the Personal Impact of Current Events
By Emeizmi Mandagi and Audrey Roofeh
#StopAsianHate community rally in San Jose, CA. Photo: Jason Leung
Earlier this week, Daunte Wright was fatally shot by an officer during a routine traffic stop; last month, eight people were killed in Atlanta, six of whom were Asian. When systemic violence or hate crimes rooted in deep-seated racism occurs, please don't ignore it at work. Silence can be deafening. It's important to acknowledge that current events, particularly when it's an act of violent racism, impact people on a deeply personal level. How current events affect each of us varies widely depending on how we identify, not just how our identities are externally presented. It's critical to acknowledge this difference and recognize that while it is possible for some to ignore the news and put it in the back of their minds, it's impossible for many people of color to ignore it because it impacts whether they feel safe when they step outside or causes them to rethink how they should adjust their daily routine to ensure their safety.
In our work we are committed to making workplaces safe for everyone, where people are free from harassment and discrimination, and instead they can be their authentic selves and thrive at work. Our Black and Asian American colleagues continue to carry the heavy burden of systemic racism and misogyny. Sadly, this isn't going to be the last time these violent manifestations of racism occur. Because of that, we're suggesting some strategies for understanding and addressing the difficulties of these situations, so managers have tools and resources for when their team members need support.
Actionable Steps You Can Take in the Workplace to Address anti-Black and anti-Asian Racism
Making Time. Give your colleagues time to process recent events whether by postponing meetings, providing or encouraging employees to take a mental health day, or setting aside time at the start of a meeting to check-in with your colleagues to see how they're doing.
Asking What Support Might Help. Ask your colleagues how you can support them during this moment. Make an effort to be personal and vulnerable. If you have personally struggled to focus on your work in the aftermath of events covered in the news or that transpired your personal life, it can make your colleague feel seen and understood to hear you open up about how you needed and sought out the support of your colleagues or decided to take a mental health day to process events. However, it's important to remain aware of and acknowledge to your colleague the differences between the systemic racism, emotional exhaustion, and heaviness they are currently experiencing from that of your past situation, particularly if your situation was not heavily influenced by institutional racism.
Making Space for Healing Conversations. It may be uncomfortable and difficult to discuss racism but it is needed and your colleagues will appreciate it. A necessary step is letting go of the fear that you may say the wrong thing, and instead work to discuss race at work in a manner that is both productive and will support your colleagues who experience the harm of harassment and discrimination.
Make Bystander Intervention the Norm. Engage in bystander intervention training so you know what to say when someone says or does something inappropriate. Workplaces should make these trainings available regularly, and you should know what to do when this happens at school, in public, at a restaurant – anywhere.
So, how will you show solidarity with your colleagues of color and their respective communities when they are dealing with the heaviness of racism? Remember, it's okay to start small. Simply asking your colleagues, "How are you doing? What can I do to support you?" can go a long way in making someone feel seen and supported.
