My presentation to the NC Dental Society on Microaggressions in the Workplace in August 2022. This is for those who have experienced them, and everyone else who wants to learn more about their impact, particularly in the workplace.
Microaggressions in the Workplace (by Angela Connor)
1. Identifying, Addressing and Combating
Microaggressions in the Workplace
Angela Connor
NC Dental Society Women’s Summit
August 26, 2022
2. TODAY’S
AGENDA
This is a conversation. I am not here to
preach.. I will share what I know and strive to
enlighten and bring value. Today, we will:
➔ IDENTIFY
What is a microaggression?
➔ ADDRESS
Why should I care?
➔ COMBAT
Now that I get it, what can I do?
3. The Title of This Presentation is Aspirational
We can’t accomplish these things overnight, but
what we can do, is:
Become more AWARE of
microaggressions and understand
why they hurt.
4. What is a Microaggression?
The everyday, subtle,
intentional - and
oftentimes unintentional
interactions or behaviors
that communicate some
sort of bias toward
historically marginalized
groups.
5. Compliments Can be Microaggressions
“My wife is (Asian/
Black/Hispacic, so…”
“Oh, you’re so
articulate.”
“Wow, you don’t have
an accent!”
Ask yourself: What assumptions informed the compliment?
11. Dentists are getting younger and more likely
to be female.
They are more likely to
be non-white.
There’s a sharp generational
divide in the workforce.
Source: American Dental Association and Health Policy Institute
Today…
The dentist workforce
skews more Asian and
White, when compared
to the U.S. population.
In contrast, it skews less
Hispanic and Black.
12. What About AGE?
Microaggressions around race,
gender, religion, disability,
and sexual orientation are
quite common in our society.
Another microaggression that
often flies under the radar
is associated with age.
13. “You’re too old to know
about or use that app!”
“You wouldn’t know
anything about this. It’s
before your time.”
“You’re so hardworking
for your age!”
15. A simple gesture
Acknowledging microaggressions can go a
long way.
Making it clear you will not tolerate them is
real advocacy and a way to make a
difference..
Keep this in mind
Silence is often deemed
complicity. Find a way to
speak up in your own
way.
16. TAKEAWAYS
Keep in mind the following about
microaggressions:
➔ They promote stereotypes.
➔ To prevent them, we must
educate ourselves.
➔ Being self-aware of our words
and actions is the best way to
combat them.
17. And in Closing, I Leave You with This
Microaggressions make people feel less than, not
accepted and promote stereotypes. Learning how
to recognize them is key. The only person you can
control 100% of the time, is YOU!
Knowledge is power and can drive people to action,
Share some examples.
I’m going to give you some examples THEN define it, to make the connection.
Microaggressions are defined as the everyday, subtle, intentional — and oftentimes unintentional — interactions or behaviors that communicate some sort of bias toward historically marginalized groups.
Microaggressions are defined as the everyday, subtle, intentional — and oftentimes unintentional — interactions or behaviors that communicate some sort of bias toward historically marginalized groups.
Take a pause here. Any thoughts or reflections? Anyone recognize these kinds of statements?
Your patients can do this to you and your employees as well.
Key trends in the dental workforce
Your patients can do this to you and your employees as well.
Microaggressions make people feel less than, not accepted and promote stereotypes. In order to prevent microaggressions, we must educate ourselves on the different types and most importantly be self-aware of our words and actions.
Psychology Today definition “Microaggressions are the everyday verbal, nonverbal, and environmental slights, snubs, or insults, whether intentional or unintentional, which communicate hostile, derogatory, or negative messages to target persons based solely upon their marginalized group membership.”
