Racism In The Workplace
By: Nia Faith
You’ve been working at your job for thirty years. You have trained ten different employees, all of whom have received promotions thanks to your excellent preparation. Co-workers often ask you why you have never been promoted. The sad and painful truth is that despite the relentless efforts you have put into the company for decades, you were never even considered for a promotion. This is the reality for Black people across North America who are stifled and cheated by the racist systems that are ingrained into workplaces across the continent.
Racism is all around us. From insensitive comments about hair and body features to racial slurs and blatant attacks. Racism comes in varying degrees, all of which are painful but perhaps most painful is the feeling that racism can not be escaped no matter how hard you work or how kind you are.
For employees of the Public Service of Canada, racism came in the form of insensitive coworkers touching the hair of Black employees, clients assuming that Black employees are only capable of working in entry-level jobs, and executive leadership refusing to promote Black workers. It happens every day and it is not just in Canada. Racism in the workplace is a widespread issue that needs to be addressed so that all employees are appropriately acknowledged and rewarded for their hard work and more importantly, so that people can feel comfortable and safe when entering the workplace. Watch the video above to learn abut one Canadian government employee's experiences of racism in the workplace.
So, how do we take a stand? Racism will always be an issue and, at least for the near future, it is impossible to escape completely. With that said, we can help prevent these situations from continuing by demanding that legislators implement laws to protect the most vulnerable people within workplaces.
Recap:
- Racism is a pervasive issue that affects all aspects of life for many people of color
- Black people are particularly vulnerable to having racist encounters within the workplace and are often refused promotions and appropriate compensation for their work
- We can ensure that firm laws are in place to prevent discrimination within the workplace by contacting legislators and signing the petition attached to this article.
To access and sign the petition to end discriminatory practices in the Canadian Federal Public Service, click the "Go to Petition" button below.
