Employers have good intentions when it comes to creating an equitable space for their employees. Yet they may be unintentionally missing the mark.
In this week's top stories, author Carice Anderson shared her journey to becoming her authentic self in spaces where she was often the only Black woman in the workplace. Anderson struggled with perfectionism and fear around being herself at work — she coined the term "Black Tax" and says it's often unsaid pressure that holds employees back.
"Nobody at [work] ever said, 'Hey, you're Black and you need to carry the weight of all Black people and you need to be perfect,'" Anderson says. "But that's the expectation that I came in with because of the messaging we get as Black people. [We're] always trying to strike a balance and walk this tightrope, because you're not really allowed to just be yourself."
Read more: A new challenge for hybrid and remote workers: Promotions
For Jewish employees, employee resource groups are providing a supportive culture to discuss growing antisemitism and unconscious biases. Those microaggressions — a statement or an action that subtly or unintentionally discriminates against members of a marginalized group — can impact the employee experience and lead to turnover and a toxic work environment if left unaddressed.
From encouraging community, to sticking with remote work, these stories explore how to address the complex reality of diversity and equality in today's workplace.