Racism and Wellbeing

Racism is defined by the CDC as’ “organized social system that devalues and disempowers racial groups regarded as inferior; reduces access to resources and opportunities such as employment, housing, education, and health care; and increases exposure to risk factors.” Studies show that racism increases risk of cardiovascular disease, stress, obesity, and experiencing violence, highlighting the profound impact on overall wellbeing.

The Impact of Racism at Work

Experiencing racism in the workplace is associated with elevated levels of stress, trauma, depression, and physical illness among employees of color. Beyond individual wellbeing, workplace culture, productivity, and performance are also significantly affected by the presence of racism.

Addressing Racism in Workplace Culture

To effectively combat racism within organizational structures, organizations and leadership must first understand how biases, whether conscious or subconscious, impact individuals and communities. Taking action against racism requires a concerted, communal effort to reflect on our biases, and foster a workplace that supports the holistic wellbeing of all its community members.

Start by Listening
An integral aspect of creating awareness involves actively inviting and listening to the experiences of employees of color. Establishing an environment where they feel empowered to share their perspectives with leadership and peers is not only essential for understanding how racism manifests within the organization but also contributes to the overall wellbeing of the workforce.

Take Continuous Action
An inclusive workplace isn’t the result of a single bias training. It requires a systematic and sustained effort to address both explicit and implicit biases within the organization including leadership coaching, diverse hiring practices, mentorship/sponsorship programs, ERGs, employee surveys and diversity audits, open communication channels, inclusive policies, training, and more. It requires leaders to make diversity, equity, and inclusion core values of their organization, and measure and monitor their health the same way that they’d measure any other key organizational KPI.

Do the Work Inside and Outside
As organizations commit to internal initiatives to dismantle racism and bias, extending these efforts externally is critical. Utilizing the organizational voice to speak out against racism publicly is a crucial step in promoting a culture of inclusivity and wellbeing. However, the credibility of such declarations hinges on aligning words with meaningful actions, ensuring the reality of a workplace that genuinely supports the freedoms and safety of its teams, customers, and the broader community.

Quick Summary:

Fostering a truly diverse, inclusive, and psychologically-safe workplace culture is critical to promoting the holistic wellbeing of every individual. Organizations need to take responsibility for a continuous, concerted effort to work towards dismantling structures of racism within their own organizations, and creating genuine cultures of diversity, equity, and inclusion.