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Combating Workplace Racism: A Leader’s Guide to Antiracist Actions

The US Supreme Court’s decision in June to reject affirmative action in college admissions also impacted corporate diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives. It’s crucial to acknowledge that racism persists in workplaces globally. Catalyst’s latest report, How Racism Shows Up at Work and the Antiracist Actions Your Organization Can Take, sheds light on this pressing issue.

The Pervasiveness of Workplace Racism

Catalyst surveyed over 5,000 employees from diverse backgrounds across six countries. The findings were alarming yet unsurprising: 66% of employees from marginalized racial and ethnic groups have faced racism at work, with half experiencing it in their current job. Racism manifests in various forms, from overt harassment to subtle exclusionary behaviors.

Forms of Racism in the Workplace

Employees reported a range of racist experiences, including:

Blatant harassment such as racist jokes and slurs
Degrading comments about their bodies or cultures
Assumptions about their intelligence or abilities
Being blamed for COVID-19
Employment inequities like pay gaps and being passed over for promotions

Who is Most Affected?

While both women (51%) and men (50%) from marginalized groups experience racism, trans and nonbinary employees (69%) report the highest levels of racism. This highlights the intersectional nature of discrimination in the workplace.

The Role of Leadership in Addressing Racism

One of the most concerning findings was that 41% of the time, the instigators of racism were leaders within the organization. Leaders not only perpetrate racism but also shape the culture that allows it to thrive. It’s imperative for company leaders to drive systemic change to address racism and decenter whiteness from corporate culture.

Steps Towards an Antiracist Workplace

To create a safe and inclusive workplace, leaders must:

Identify and remove biases from hiring practices and promotion criteria
Ensure people of color feel safe reporting incidents of racism
Address reported incidents of racism at every level of the organization

Recognizing the various forms of racism at work is just the first step. Catalyst, a global nonprofit promoting gender equity and workplace inclusion, provides actionable solutions to accelerate workplace equity. Progress for women and marginalized groups is progress for everyone.