Recognizing Microaggressions and Bias

Microaggressions are small, often unintentional remarks or behaviors that communicate bias or exclusion toward a person’s identity. They can be based on race, gender, disability, religion, or other protected characteristics and can accumulate to create a stressful work climate.

The impact includes lowered sense of belonging, reduced trust in teams, decreased psychological safety, and even performance decline. Even when not intended to harm, repeated microaggressions can signal that some voices are less valued.

When you witness a microaggression, name the behavior, describe its impact, and invite dialogue. Use I-statements, offer support, and, if needed, escalate to a manager or HR using established reporting channels.