How to Strategically Address Systemic Racism, White Privilege, and Unconscious Bias in the Workplace

Why Should You Attend:

The summer of 2020 will be long ingrained into our social and individual consciousness due to COVID and the horrific murder of George Floyd, a black man. George’s murder by white police officers, captured on video for the world to see, sparked outrage around the globe. So, what, you may be asking, does that have to do with the business world.

Racial bias workshops just won’t do any more. Employers and business leaders need to respond to racism by taking substantial action. Merely throwing out politically correct corporate statements needs to be over. It is time for leaders who are committed to racial justice to create a business strategy to actively and strategically address racial inequity in their workplace (and society). Systemic racism can be fought by American businesses. Indeed, many U.S. corporate boardrooms have already begun the fight through hiring practices, funding organizations and movements working to eradicate racism, and using their political power to influence federal and state legislation. But what steps can employers begin doing – today – to enhance their workplace culture to racial equity and belonging? Discussing white privilege and unconscious bias is a starting tactic.

Dr. Francis Kendall states “For those of us who are white, one of our privileges is that we see ourselves as individuals, “just people,” part of the human race. Most of us are clear, however, that people whose skin is not white are members of a race. Being born white provides privileges that other races in the U.S. do not have. Other races may “earn” privilege but are not “born” with privilege due to the color of their skin.

Unconscious bias, something we all have built into our DNA, does not mean we are bad people. How does unconscious bias work against Blacks? How does it support white privilege? How does it maintain the status quo?

Discussing the issues addressed in this webinar may be uncomfortable—that’s the way it should be, difficult as it is. Discomfort is required for change.

Learning Objectives:

• To discuss Black Lives Matter and its role in your workplace culture
• To define racism
• To explore vicarious racism’s effect on us all
• To critique white privilege
• To illustrate unconscious bias
• To use a systems approach in creating and sustaining an anti-racist culture

Who Will Benefit:

• All industries,
• Professions Senior management,
• Middle management,
• Human Resources Professionals,
• Employee Resource Groups

Dr. Susan Strauss
Workplace and Education Harassment and Bullying Consultant, Strauss Consulting

Susan Strauss is a national and international speaker, trainer, consultant and a recognized expert on workplace and school harassment and bullying. She conducts harassment and bullying investigations and functions as an expert witness in harassment and bullying lawsuits. Her clients are from business, education, healthcare, law, and government organizations from both the public and private sector.

Dr. Strauss has conducted research, written over 30 books, book chapters, and journal articles on harassment, bullying, and related topics. She has been featured on 20/20, CBS Evening News and other television and radio programs as well as interviewed for newspaper and journal articles such as Harvard Education Newsletter, Lawyers Weekly, and the Times of London.

She is the recipient of the Excellence in Educational Equity Award from the Minnesota Department of Education for her work in sexual harassment in education. She has spoken about sexual harassment at international conferences in Botswana, Egypt, Thailand, and the U.S. She consulted with the Israeli Ministry of Education, as well as with educators from Israel, England, Australia, St. Martin, Bali, Beirut, and Canada. She traveled to Poland and conducted research on sex discrimination and sexual harassment in Polish workplaces with Minnesota Advocates for Human Rights.

Dr. Strauss has a doctorate in organizational leadership. She is a registered nurse, has a bachelor’s degree in human services and counseling, a master’s degree in community health, and professional certificate in training and development. She has been involved in the harassment and bullying arena since 1985.

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