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What are microaggressions and how do they affect people? · Wellbeing Solutions - Ask A Counsellor

• 0:00
  SPEAKER_00: So microaggressions at work are subtle comments, behaviours or assumptions that communicate disrespect, stereotype and exclusion or otherness towards somebody.
• 0:11
  SPEAKER_00: Sometimes they can be unintentional, but it's action over intent.
• 0:16
  SPEAKER_00: So examples can include implying someone doesn't really belong, expressing surprise best on a stereotype, repeatedly mispronouncing someone's name after being corrected, assuming a woman will take notes or organise refreshments, interrupting or talking over someone repeatedly, particularly when their ideas are later praised by somebody else, when they're repeated by someone else, dismissing someone's reaction to inappropriate behaviour, or things like assuming a younger employee is inexperienced or an older employee isn't comfortable with technology.
• 0:51
  SPEAKER_00: Things like that that rely on stereotypes.
• 0:54
  SPEAKER_00: And whereas these things as single incidents might seem minor, repeated microaggressions can accumulate.
• 1:02
  SPEAKER_00: So they can cause somebody to experience stress and anxiety, a lower sense of belonging, reduced confidence, particularly when the competence is repeatedly questioned or minimised, emotional exhaustion, having decided whether to challenge, ignore, or explain each incident, less participation, and people might speak up less in meetings or avoid certain colleagues, career consequences if the pattern affects access to mentoring opportunities and recognition, and generally a lower job satisfaction and engagement.
• 1:35
  SPEAKER_00: An important distinction is that intent and impact aren't necessarily the same thing as discussed before.
• 1:42
  SPEAKER_00: Someone can make a comment without intending harm, while the comment can still reinforce a stereotype or make the colleague feel excluded.
• 1:50
  SPEAKER_00: Also, micro doesn't mean unimportant, it generally refers to the subtle or everyday nature of the behaviour, not how insignificant it is.