Uncover and Minimize Bias in the Workplace

Unconscious bias permeates the workplace at all levels because we all have preferences and prejudices as noted in our Popular Topics Addressing DEI Training, Unconscious Bias, and Sensitivities in the Workplace. Numerous studies confirm that people harbor unconscious bias even when they explicitly believe prejudice and discrimination are wrong. Organizations can uncover and combat unconscious bias and its effects in the workplace by taking the following steps. 

• Offer unconscious bias training that brings awareness
• Acknowledge the types of unconscious biases that are likely to occur in your workplace
• Create organizational structures that embrace diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging

Step One: Raise Awareness through Unconscious Bias Training

The first step to addressing unconscious biases in the workplace is to acknowledge that everyone has them. You can do this by raising awareness through unconscious bias training. Unconscious bias training should give employees a safe place to learn about unconscious bias, recognize their own biases, and be mindful about combating them in everyday decision-making. For example, unconscious bias training may include a workshop for senior leaders, online unconscious bias training for all employees, and unconscious bias communication tools.

Unconscious bias training is the first step to unraveling unconscious biases because it allows employees to recognize that everyone possesses them and to identify their own biases. 

Step Two: Acknowledge Likely Workplace-Wide Bias

To combat bias on a workplace-wide level, however, it is essential to articulate what biases are liable to creep into the workplace. Unconscious bias training can also help create a Speak Up culture about what biases are present in the company and what steps the organization can take to minimize them.

Organizations should also review every aspect of the employment life cycle for unconscious biases, such as resume screening, interviews, onboarding, assignment process, mentoring programs, performance evaluations, identification of high performers, promotions, and terminations. If unconscious bias may have occurred at any point, review existing processes and alter them to ensure that bias is minimized or eliminated. 

Step Three: Eliminate Biases through Organizational Structures

Start creating organizational structures to eliminate biases and embrace DEI and belonging principles:

• Conduct employee surveys to understand what specific issues of hidden bias and unfairness might exist within the organization
• Survey former employees to learn what issues they faced during their employment and what steps could be taken that would entice them to return. 
• Promote a culture where current employees feel safe to speak up, particularly women and minorities, by asking them what unconscious biases they have witnessed in the organization and their effects on their careers. 
• Conduct an organizational diversity audit to root out unconscious biases

By providing impactful unconscious bias training and putting processes and structures in place that identify unconscious biases, organizations can make positive steps in minimizing these biases that can impact workplace culture.

Syntrio’s Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) training addresses recognizing unconscious bias in the workplace by providing learners with an understanding of what unconscious bias is and how it can manifest in the workplace. The training helps learners recognize how unconscious biases can impact their own decision-making processes and the decisions of others in the workplace.

The training covers different types of unconscious bias, such as affinity bias, confirmation bias, and attribution bias. It provides examples of how these biases affect hiring, promotion, and other workplace decisions. Through interactive scenarios, learners are encouraged to identify and reflect on their own unconscious biases and how they might impact their interactions with others in the workplace.

The training also emphasizes creating an inclusive workplace culture that values diversity and encourages open communication. It provides practical tips for recognizing and addressing unconscious bias in real-time, such as pausing to reflect before deciding or seeking diverse perspectives to ensure that all voices are heard.

Overall, Syntrio’s DEI training helps learners recognize the potential impact of unconscious bias in the workplace and provides practical strategies for mitigating its effects. By raising awareness and promoting conscious decision-making, the training helps to create a more inclusive and equitable workplace culture that values diversity and fosters positive interactions among colleagues. – Explore Our DEI Training Library!