The Research

  • After 4 years of intensive study
  • 150+ peer-reviewed and literary articles reviewed
  • Quantitative: Two waves of General Social Survey Statistics data (2009 & 2014) courtesy of StatsCan
  • Qualitative: Surveys with 30 senior DEI leaders in Canada on LinkedIn
  • Lived experience: Numerous firsthand disclosures from people of colour
    The Results
  • Workplace racism is rampant—mostly covert (subtle, implicit).
  • Regardless of subtlety, the impact is real and enormous.
  • Data revealed that the highest perpetrators of racism against people of colour in the workplace are white female leaders.

However, racism can occur regardless of the race or gender of your boss.
Dear Person of Colour

When you notice:

  • Micromanagement
  • Nitpicking despite your best efforts
  • Public or private put-downs
  • Unsavoury comments (even if polite) about your accent, hair, knowledge, etc
  • Faults being compiled against you (warning sign: pending termination)
  • Unrealistic deadlines
  • Colleagues being instigated against you
  • Self-doubt creeping in
  • Headaches, panic attacks, dread about work
  • Overdrive to prove yourself
  • Skipping vacation or rest just to keep up
  • Working 3x harder than everyone else
    …know this: You are NOT dumb. Period.

What To Do

  • Document everything (emails, conversations, health related issues).
  • Speak to trusted HR or legal professionals in your circle. Don’t bottle up
  • Respectfully & calmly confront perpetrator with evidence where safe.
  • Report internally (HR, highest levels of authority in your organization , employee complaints or feedback channels-if any).
  • Report externally (employment board, Human Rights Commission, etc.)
  • Get out. Even on leave if necessary. Every company has one or more these leaves available (medical, stress, mental health, short term disability etc). Work with your doctor first and HR as needed. Some of these are paid leaves else you may be eligible for Employment Insurance benefits to address monetary concerns while you take care of your health.

This is not a movie. Your life and mental health are at stake.

Dear Organizations

  •  DEI is no longer optional.
  • Implement the 10 Key Components of an Effective DEI Framework—your people and your integrity depend on it.

Source: Dubem, M. (2024). Invisible Guests: Giving Equity a Seat & Voice at the Diversity & Inclusion Table (The Case of Female Visible Minority Migrants in Canada).
#DrMich #DEI #EquityIsKey #10DEIcomponents #DEIframework