|
One in 10 students
say that
someone at school has called
them a derogatory word related to
race, religion, ethnicity, disability,
gender or sexual orientation in the
past six months.
Speak
Up
TeachingTolerance.org
Unfortunately, stereotypes are not going away.
It seems like every week there is another example in the news of prejudice
and stereotypical language - from Don Imus to Isiah Washington, Mel Gibson....
about Mexicans, African-Americans, gays, Christians, Jews, and on and
on....
We read about it in the paper, but much more of this subtle discrimination
plays out in real time, in emails, office communications, and everyday
conversation.
Prejudice
tolerated is
intolerance encouraged.
Harvey
Fierstein
For many people, this reflects a conditioning they are unaware of. But
this doesn't mean it's acceptable, especially in today's workplace. Stereotypes
show up in jokes, stories, assignments, messages, work instructions,
even official corporate communications.
Language that is offensive and
demeaning. Most people don't know what to say or do when they hear these
sometimes subtle slurs. Quite often their concern is to not embarass
the other person or, as some say, to "not make a big deal out of
it."
| |
 |
|
But these words and comments hurt. The net result is a tear in the fabric
of the team and corporate culture. So, how do you speak up? And what's
the benefit of taking that risk to say something?
The
simple act of naming a bias as
such or objecting to it on the spot
establishes a social atmosphere that
discourages it: saying nothing
serves to condone it.
Daniel
Goleman
Emotional
Intelligence
Even something as seemingly simple as placing an order at a fast food
restaurant can show subtle stereotyping: a recent NYT article described
strong consumer interest in placing orders online - one consultant saw
this as an interesting commentary on class, as it shows how reluctant
people are to speak with fast food workers — often teenagers and
immigrants with accents. Toll-free order centers, often in foreign lands,
are also a place of more blatant stereotyping.
It
is easier to split the atom
than to crack a prejudice.
Albert
Einstein
OUCH! Leader's Guide Materials:
The package includes the DVD or VHS, and also a CD-ROM with Leader's
Guide information, handouts and Powerpoint presentations for a 1-hour
and 2-hour training session.
You can review the Leader's Guide and Handouts by clicking on these links:
PDF Leader's Guide
RIGHT CLICK
HERE and select
Download
linked file.
PDF Handout for 1-hour Training
RIGHT CLICK HERE and
select
Download
linked file
PDF Handout for 2-hour Training
RIGHT CLICK HERE and
select
Download
linked file
|
|
Watch
the full OUCH! Preview now!
Why is OUCH! important?
Staying silent in the face of demeaning comments,
stereotypes or bias allows these attitudes and
behaviors to thrive. This undermines our ability
to create an inclusive workplace where all employees are welcomed, treated
with respect and able to do their best work.
Yet, most employees and
leaders who want to speak up don't know how. So, we say nothing.
The workplace is not a kinder or gentler place - at least when
it comes to continued use of racial, ethnic, ageist and other
slurs directed at co-workers. According to a 2005 survey by
Boston-based Novations Group, sexual remarks, ethnic and racial
slurs are the most frequent types of ridicule heard at work.
In 2005, 35% of employees surveyed reported overhearing sexual
remarks while 29% of employees reported overhearing ethnic
and racial slurs. Sexual orientation ridicule was reported
by 24%, age-related ridicule by 22%, and disability-related
slurs by 9%.
Kathy
Gurchiek, SHRM
Disturbing
Consistency in
Prevalence
of Office Slurs
Use our secure online checkout to order OUCH! now link
What does it mean to communicate respectfully?
The workplace is wonderfully diverse. Many people bring their personal
conditioning into the workplace and need help learning how to communicate
in a respectful way.
Jokes are the most common place for stereotypes - it's
an "easy" laugh.
But as OUCH author, Leslie Aguilar writes, we often rationalize biased
or prejudiced remarks by claiming them as jokes. "One of the most
common ways stereotypes are perpetuated is through so-called 'humor.'
By saying 'it's just a joke' people can make a bigoted statement and
at the same time say 'I'm not prejudiced, I'm just being funny,'" said
Aguilar.

Aguilar reminds us that humor is an extremely important communication
tool as it helps us to relax, release stress, and enjoy life and work.
Humor that comes across as racist or perpetuates a stereotype, however,
is offensive and can make people uncomfortable. OUCH can help you educate
your associates.
| |
 |
|
Book a special OUCH! training day, customized for your organization
with Leslie Aguilar, the author of the OUCH! book. Leslie is an international
speaker, trainer and facilitator. She is the author of two books and
three innovative diversity assessment and learning instruments. Email
info at ouch-video.com for more information about Leslie's training
offerings and how to book her.
|
|
I recommend Ouch! That Stereotype
Hurt for any organization that wants to increase employee awareness
of remarks that might seem OK on the surface but are really based on
bias or stereotypes.
As this program points out, “One voice—your voice—can
make a difference.” And that is the beginning of building a workplace
where all people feel included, respected, and able to do their best...
>>
read the entire review link

Finally, a video that shows the viewer exactly
how to respond in moments of diversity-related tension! No blame, no
guilt, no conflict – just
practical, specific skills that can be immediately applied in the workplace.
OUCH! is a must-have and a must-see for anyone seeking to create and
sustain a respectful workplace.
Sondra Thiederman, Ph.D.
Author, Making Diversity Work:
Seven Steps for Defeating
Bias
in the Workplace
Your Ouch! video is even more powerful than
the book. And I LOVED your book!
– Regina Dunay, Sr. Consultant,
Spherion Human Resource
Consulting Group
There are 3 sections to the OUCH Training Program: OUCH! offers 3 dynamic
segments for you to use as is, or customize for your unique training
needs.
Part
1 gives a direct and powerful experience of stereotypes.
In
Part 2, we hear personal stories of why people didn't speak up: don't
know what to say, don't want to make a big deal, don't want to sound
angry, and many other common reasons for not speaking up.
Part
3 delivers 6 simple examples of how to speak up without blame or
guilt. In just 12 minutes, the OUCH video gives a complete experience
and understanding of how to speak up without blame or guilt.
Extra
feature 1: The next section is a 5-minute skill-building section
to test participant's ability to identify the demeaning comment and suitable
response.
Extra
feature 2: This version of OUCH includes vignettes in Part 3. This
gives you an option for your training session - with or without vignettes.
CD-ROM
Leader's Guide: OUCH offers a lot of value in one package. The
Leader's Guide is extensive and will enable you to customize your own
training module, print out user materials, even use a PowerPoint presentation
in your session.
For more information
please call toll free
888-723-8517
or ORDER NOW via our secure online checkout: link
Or email: info
at ouch-video.com
|