Practicing authentic inclusion at work is important

Last time, we talked about the importance of feeling excluded as a way of promoting authentic inclusion. So, in this month’s Challenge the Prof, I asked readers to share their experiences of being excluded. As always, we cannot draw conclusions from the data but we can gain insights from what readers share. Here are the questions and responses:

Have you ever felt excluded at work? By “excluded,” we mean marginalized, ignored, isolated, or otherwise thwarted from participating, socializing or working with others.

Yes = 15 respondents; 96% No = 1 respondent; 4%

IF YES, WHAT HAPPENED?

People reported exclusion came in these forms: lost promotions; petty/childish behavior; not invited to social events or included in social conversations; excluded from work conversations; job information withheld; eventual termination; gaslighting (creating false reasons for questioning reality); experienced bias, age, gender, ethnic, race discrimination; general impact across all aspects of the job.

It’s important to note that a reader reported that virtual meetings helped create collaboration and inclusion. Perhaps forcing face-to-face communication, even if they are virtual, limits the opportunities for exclusion and forces people to include, especially in the uncertainty of a pandemic that threatened our ability to work.

IF YES, DO YOU THINK ANY OF THE FOLLOWING WERE CAUSES OR REASONS WHY YOU WERE EXCLUDED? CHECK ANY THAT APPLY.

Causes that were options in the survey included race or color, opinions you express, ethnicity, introversion or shyness, religion, gender identity, socioeconomic status, political perspective and sexual orientation.

While all causes or reasons were mentioned (except for sexual orientation), the most reported included age, professional jealously, race, opinions and introversion. It should be noted that sexual orientation may not be reported because it is the only one above that can be hidden or not visible.

IF YOU HAVE FELT EXCLUDED, PLEASE DESCRIBE HOW THE EXPERIENCE IMPACTED YOUR MOTIVATION, MORALE, PRODUCTIVITY OR PERFORMANCE AT WORK.

The impacts are lethal. Readers reported decreases in productivity (how much you do), performance (how well you do it), morale, optimism, dedication, motivation, energy; and,