Talking about ethnic diversity in the workplace Talking about ethnic diversity in the workplace Ethnic minorities and well-being Underrepresentation of ethnic minorities in the corporate world, especially at senior levels, is bad enough. But even worse, according to extensive research, is the lived experience of ethnic minorities, who continue to face both explicit racism and subtle racism on the job. They can manifest in several often-overlapping forms and, like other types of discrimination, they can lead to a profound feeling of pain, harm and humiliation among members of the target group, often leading to exclusion. Examples of these can include (but not limited to) Bias: Microaggressions: That said, here are some terminology tips you might Avoid using the term ‘Non-White”. find useful: The term ‘non-White’ is generally not well received, as it defines Bias refers to the attitudes or stereotypes Racial microaggressions are brief and commonplace daily Name the specific group/ethnicity you are referring to. ethnic minorities solely by reference to the White majority. that affect our understanding, actions, and verbal, behavioural, or environmental indignities, whether We do not use the term ‘non-Black’ when describing the White decisions in an unconscious manner (or intentional or unintentional, that communicate hostile, Ethnic Minority is the collective term which is most widely group, so why should we say ‘non-White’ when describing sometimes consciously). These biases, which derogatory, or negative racial slights and insults towards used and accepted globally. In the US the term BIPOC ethnic minorities? Also, do not forget that ethnic minorities encompass both favourable and unfavourable ethnic minorities. The “micro” in the term “microaggressions” is used to refer to Black, Indigenous and People of Color. include White minorities (for instance: Gypsy, Irish travellers). assessments, are often activated involuntarily does not refer to a smaller impact. Rather, it refers to The UK tend to use the term BAME – Black, Asian and and without an individual’s awareness or interactions on the micro-scale, rather than on the systemic/ Minority Ethnic or BME – Black and Minority Ethnic. Some Watch out for “us/them” syntax. intentional control. These associations develop structural, macro scale. countries, such as France and Germany, prefer to avoid We all do it sometimes, but it will harshen your sentiment, even over the course of a lifetime beginning at a Perpetrators of microaggressions are often unaware that the terms race and ethnicity and refer to diversity of origins when speaking to white people. Define your prepositions. very early age through exposure to direct they engage in such communications when they interact or people with immigrant backgrounds. You can say “black,” and not with a whisper. and indirect messages. with ethnic minorities. In most cases, when individuals are However, the acceptability of these acronyms has It’s not a bad word. “It’s not a bad word, so it’s not necessary to Automatic associations, assumptions and confronted with their micro aggressive acts, the perpetrator been called into question as people of ethnic minority lower your voice when you say it. The same approach can be stereotypes about individuals from ethnic usually believes that the victim has overreacted and is backgrounds are not one homogenous group and applied to other appropriate and respectful racial identifiers.” minority groups on occasions can produce being overly sensitive. Often described as “death by a experience social inequalities and stereotyping in blocked opportunities such as being denied thousand cuts,” the emotional, behavioural, and cognitive different ways that require different interventions. Say Latino/Latina/Latinx* rather than Hispanic. a promotion. Stereotypes can place additional impact of microaggressions is cumulative and over time That is why it is a better practice to name the group/ The term “Latino” is preferred as less derivative of pressure on groups to ‘conform’ which can results in harmful psychological and physiological effects ethnicity being referenced. colonial lineage. impact self-confidence. for targeted individuals. 6 7