It’s 2019 – the year of #wokeness and cancel culture. With all the conversation that goes around what’s problematic and what isn’t – you’d think racism is a thing of the past. Unfortunately, that’s not the case.
With more and more cases of workplace racism coming out this year, it’s safe to say we’ll be having this conversation for quite some time. While overt racism, such as slurs, name-calling and racist jokes have become a little less frequent – covert racism has continued to persist in the workplace.
How does one stop the prevalence of racism in their own workplace? How to take collective action against any form of discrimination? How to enforce policies that dismantle racism altogether?
We don’t have all the answers – nobody does – but here’s a few things that can be done to eradicate this issue: 
Enforcing A Zero-Tolerance Policy
Preparing a Zero-Tolerance Policy involves having reporting procedures in place, printing them in the employee handbook, and then ensuring everyone, starting with management, follows it. A Zero-Tolerance Policy can make a significant difference in preventing racism and discrimination in the workplace. With the help of your attorney and insurance agent – prepare a zero-tolerance policy that is specific to your office dynamics.
Maintaining A Diverse Workforce
A Diverse Workforce stems from the correct recruitment policies – whereby you hire employees from all backgrounds, ethnicities and races. Moreover, it’s important to create a safe space in your office where everyone feels comfortable to discuss racism, and helps maintain a cooperative workplace. Ongoing training will also update employees on anti-discrimination laws and allow you to run a diverse workplace without any clashes.
Take Rational Action
From the instant you’ve received a report of racism, to its final resolution – make sure to remain calm and serve as a role model for others in your office. Becoming instantly angry, excited or emotional can lead to further incidents, cause hurt feelings and complicate things tremendously. Moreover, you’ll be able to maintain a clear stance and reach a better conclusion if you follow through the process with calm and rationale.
Take Immediate Action
Staying calm doesn’t mean staying complacent. Take action immediately! A corrective action plan puts your Zero-Tolerance Policy in practise and protects your employees. Effective action enables you to handle racism incidents properly, and reduces workplace tension, and prevents potential legal action as you maintain a safe space for all employees. A few other things you can do:
- Don’t react with punishments like demotion, shift changes or isolation towards any employee involved.
- Take each complaint seriously, immediately.
- Be objective in investigating all complaints, and reserve judgment for after a thorough investigation.
- Exercise respect for all parties.
- Follow the exact procedures you’ve put in place to discover the truth and avoid unfair claims.
Racism in the workplace affects everyone, and will jeopardize your company’s future. Therefore, it is integral that you foster an inclusive and diverse workforce that feels empowered to speak out against discrimination.
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