Am I guilty of racial discrimination?

 
 

Recognising whether you might be guilty of racial discrimination requires self-awareness, reflection, and a willingness to examine your thoughts, actions, and biases. Thank you for taking the time to think about this.

Here are some signs that you may be engaging in racial discrimination, either consciously or unconsciously:

  1. Stereotyping:

    • Do you make assumptions about individuals based on their race without considering their unique qualities, experiences, or abilities?

  2. Microaggressions:

    • Do you unintentionally make comments or engage in behaviors that subtly or indirectly convey racist ideas or stereotypes?

    • Here are some examples:

      “I don’t see colour.”

      “There is no need to be so angry.”

      “You are so articulate.”

      “Can I touch your hair?”

      “Where are you really from?”

      “I can’t pronounce your name; can I call you X for short?”

  3. Implicit Bias:

    • Are you aware of any unconscious biases you may have that influence your thoughts or actions toward people of certain racial or ethnic groups?

    • Do you treat people differently based on their race?

  4. Lack of Team Diversity:

    • Is your professional circle homogenous, lacking diversity in terms of race, ethnicity, and background?

  5. Defensiveness:

    • Do you become defensive when someone points out a potential racial bias in your words or actions, rather than considering their perspective?

  6. Colour blindness:

    • Do you claim not to see race or believe that everyone is the same, disregarding the impact of systemic racism and individual experiences?

  7. Failure to Speak Up:

    • Do you remain silent in the face of racist comments or behaviours, either to avoid confrontation or because you feel it doesn't concern you?

If you recognise any of these signs in yourself, it's important to take proactive steps to address and change these behaviours.

As a start you can think about the impact these behaviours have on your colleagues and your teams; the video below is worth watching with this in mind. It would also be great if you'd consider becoming an Anti-Racism ally. Working together we can ensure that our workplace is supportive and inclusive of all staff.

 
 

What if I make a mistake?

All of us are human and none of us are perfect. If you behave in a way you realise was wrong, the best thing to do is to acknowledge it and to apologise. Most people are understanding and will generally appreciate your honesty and attempt to put it right.

There may be times when you do not notice your behaviour was discriminatory. Be open to challenge from colleagues. When delivered by effective communicators, negative feedback can be a useful opportunity for development. If you have found your own behaviours in the workplace have been called into question or criticised, take some time and consider some of the following points:

·       Avoid knee-jerk responses

·       Invite honesty and ask for details

·       Turn the discussion into a learning opportunity

·       Take the opportunity to reflect

 
 

For those who have been accused of racial discrimination in the workplace

NHS Scotland: Bullying and Harassment Policy

HR Online: Support for staff being complained about [Intranet]

Your Trade Union or Medical Protection Society will be able to offer support and advice.

Staff support for Health MED website list of staff support resources in Lothian

NHS Lothian Staff internet site with information on staff support

National Wellbeing Hub offers support for all NHS staff in Scotland

Practitioner Health self-referral for mental health support (NHS staff UK-wide)

Trainee Development and Wellbeing Service Support for NES Doctors in Training

GMC Ethical hub: Racism in the workplace

For those who want to work on their behaviour

Coaching in NHS Lothian Coaching is a solution focused development intervention that supports individuals to achieve improved personal contribution, performance and operational effectiveness

The Reflective Practitioner GMC guide to support reflective practice

Reflective Practice Toolkit from the Academy of Medical Royal Colleges and COPMeD

Your specialty college may have useful resources such as this one from Royal College of Surgeons of England: Managing disruptive behaviours in surgery — Royal College of Surgeons (rcseng.ac.uk)