What You Could Learn From PRUDE’s Workplace Bias Recognition Program
Diversity and Inclusion. Unconscious Bias. These terms are in vogue right now as many employers have sought out or instituted diversity and inclusion or unconscious bias training programs to reform hiring, retention and promotion practices that were put in place at a time in history when true diversity and inclusion was not a priority.
Employers now recognize that decisions made without diversity in mind may contain biases that might adversely affect a company’s reputation and bottom line.
However, these programs may make some people skeptical. People have concerns: Are these programs accusatory? Do they deal in “White guilt?” Will anything really change?
To that end, PRUDE Inc.‘s Workplace Bias Recognition program heightens participants’ awareness of workplace bias – in a relaxed, collaborative, sometimes humorous style -by highlighting the different types of bias encountered in the workplace and offering real-world solutions to start correcting the issue.
“Attending this training definitely made me recognize some of my biases and how I need to be consciously aware of the decisions I make every day–from how I lead, coach my staff and deal with clients,” said RBC Branch Manager Karen Hachey
Debuting earlier this year, the roughly hour-long program is based on the very real premise that we all have biases. However, the program makes clear that biases based on prejudices and assumptions, as encountered in the workplace, can be detrimental to individuals, workplace culture and a company’s bottom line.
“I feel any organization would highly benefit from this training,” said Nancy Knox, an RBC branch manager in Woodstock. “Our North American complacency needs to be challenged to ensure that we are always reflective of, and relevant to, communities we serve.”
Amy Pattman, NBCC Human Services Instructor, says the program offers students a great introduction to establishing a bias-free workplace.
“The NBCC-SJ Human Service students had the privilege of attending PRUDE Saint John’s Workplace Bias Recognition Program. Damon Levine provided an engaging, informative, and profound learning experience that left the students with a deeper understanding of bias around them and some effective ways to establish a bias-free workplace in a fun interactive environment,” says Pattman.
“I would highly recommend this program for anyone who wishes to gain a deeper understanding of how to prevent bias in our workplace as well as our communities. I look forward to offering future students this learning opportunity yearly.”
PRUDE Inc. has presented its Workplace Bias Recognition Program to organizations such as RBC, NBCC and Commissionaires, and is in talks to present the program to several public and private-sector organizations in June.
PRUDE Inc. offers various programs and services to benefit newcomers and longtime Canadians alike. For more information on our programs and services, visit https://www.prudeinc.org/.
For more information on the Workplace Bias Recognition Program, please contact Damon Levine, PRUDE Program Developer/Facilitator, at [email protected] or 506.634.3088.