Case Study

Context: This private organization had predominately white employees for many years. In recent years, they have hired a significant amount of employees of color. This is the first year that there is a Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Justice (DEIJ) department. I was assigned as the department lead and created this participant workbook and guide based on the ILT on the same topic.

Challenges: The employees of color brought up the fact that they had been experiencing microaggressions in the workplace. One employee even indicated that they approached a colleague who had committed a microaggression toward them but felt this made them very defensive, and the colleague was later difficult to work with.

Solutions: This workbook was developed to enhance the presentation as part of a series of DEIJ workshops to improve the wellbeing and retention of employees of color in the organization as well as increase awareness and education among the employees with knowledge gaps. This workbook can be used in a virtual or in-person setting.

Results: 100% of employees present at the training indicated that the workbook helped them reflect on what microaggressions look like and made them aware of the ones they had committed in the past. 80% of employees indicated the workbook helped them construct strategies for dealing with situations where they commit a microaggression or witness one happening.