Beyond Bystander Workshop
Microaggressions have a negative impact on the wellbeing of the individuals subjected to them and the psychological safety of our workplace. Using a bystander intervention shows that these behaviours are unacceptable and promote a safe and inclusive workplace culture. The Beyond Bystander workshop will prepare you to use a bystander intervention if you witness a microaggression.
What is a microaggression?
Microaggressions are slights, snubs or insults which are hostile or derogatory in nature and are directed towards people based on their protected characteristics or minoritised group status. They can be verbal, non-verbal, or environmental, and may or may not be intentional. They have negative effects on the wellbeing and sense of belonging of those who are subjected to them, and have a detrimental impact on the psychological safety of our workplace cultures. Leaving microaggressions unchallenged leaves the recipient feeling unsupported and undervalued, and perpetuates the stereotypes that are implicit in them. Nonetheless, challenging microaggressions is hard.
The Beyond Bystander Workshop
The Beyond Bystander Workshop has been designed to give you the confidence and the skills to act when you witness a microaggression. Over the course of four hours, the workshop uses a combination of discussion, storytelling and role play in small groups. The aim is to get you to think about what bystander interventions you can use and the words you might choose when employing a bystander intervention. This is done in a confidential and respectful environment that supports discussion about these topics.
There are two options for organising your attendance at the workshop. If you would like to organise a session for your department, please contact Andrew.Merriman@nhs.scot or Thomas.O'Neill@nhs.scot. Alternatively, you can attend one of the open access sessions which is available to all NHS Lothian staff members. In the table below, you can find dates for 2024/2025. At the bottom of this page, you can find a link to the form to register for one of the workshops, and the workshop pre-reading material.
| St John's Hospital | Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh | Western General Hospital |
| 6th December 2024 - 9am - 1pm - Calderwood Room, Education Centre | 22nd January 2025 - 9am - 1pm - Calton Room, Postgraduate Education Centre - FULLY BOOKED | 5th February 2025 - 9am - 1pm - Seminar Room 2, Medical Education Centre |
| 3rd March 2025 - 9am - 1pm - Calderwood Room, Education Centre | 4th April 2025 - 9am - 1pm - Calton Room, Postgraduate Education Centre | 19th May 2025 - 9am - 1pm - Seminar Room 2, Medical Education Centre |
| 23rd June 2025 - 9am - 1pm - Calderwood Room, Education Centre | 7th July 2025 - 9am - 1pm, - Blackford Room, Postgraduate Education Centre |
