Fostering Respectful and Inclusive Work Cultures: Recognizing and Reporting Discrimination and Prejudice

Course overview

Workplace discrimination - from overt prejudice to subtle comments - impacts inclusivity, psychological safety, and productivity. Health professionals must recognize and report prejudice due to its impact on legal compliance, employee well-being, culture, and performance. Reporting discrimination and prejudice involves documenting incidents, identifying appropriate channels (an immediate supervisor, the Human Relations department, an ethics hotline), and understanding the investigation process, confidentiality, and the legal right to protection against retaliation. The interprofessional health team, especially mental health clinicians and therapists, can support affected individuals and work with employers to address systemic bias and promote a respectful, inclusive work culture.