Tips for navigating workspaces as a minority

Women and BIPOC are often minorities in professional and corporate working environments. Most higher-ups tend to fall neatly into the demographic of white, European men. For a long time, this left the rest of us subject to petty scraps and mistreatment in the workplace. However, in light of the pandemic and other more recent historical events, society has been forced to recognize much of its structural inequalities in a way it never has before.

Healthy Coping Strategies Finding ways that help protect your inner peace will go a long way in situations where inequality rears its ugly head in the faces around you. Seek out resources that will teach you discipline, and offer empathy, community, and understanding.

Honing your ability to set boundaries will make you better equipt to handle tense situations. It will help you carry yourself professionally and maintain composure in the face of adversity. Mentorship and Support The support of like-minded people helps build healthy coping strategies. It's easy to forget that you are not the only one struggling with injustices in the workplace.

Mentorship matters

Having a mentor or friend who understands and empathizes with your experiences can be motivating and helpful. You deserve a community or confidant you can rely on as a source of empowerment, whether from a professional, family, friend, co-worker, or other special places. Promote Diverse Work Spaces At the government, State, and Corporate levels, there has been an increase in policies built for empowering and encouraging the presence of women and BIPOC in the workplace. However, despite these new levels of awareness, it is still difficult for many minorities to navigate professional spaces dominated largely by one racial demographic.

Push for inclusivity

Actively pushing for more inclusive policies at work, voting for better office holders, and being a supportive community member are just a few of the ways you can push for quicker change. It's About a Quality of Life! Feeling your quality of life threatened can be one of the most difficult aspects of remaining professional at work. As a woman or BIPOC, you will certainly encounter different types of prejudices and microaggressions from some of your co-workers. These are ways to stay strong while we hopefully continue transitioning toward a more inclusive and just society.