Katz Banks Kumin partner Debra Katz and associate Mehreen Rasheed co-authored an article for Law360’s “Expert Analysis” section titled “Confronting Bias to Improve Workplace Well-Being.” The article discusses the dramatic impact that workplace bias can have on employees. As cited in the article, a study by VitalSmarts found that more than one-fourth of employees experienced forms of “workplace bias” that are “common, impactful, and beyond their ability to manage,” leading to increased frustration, stress, depression and helplessness. Many of the respondents in the study stated that they felt they had no effective means to manage such incidents.
The article points out that, while federal and state laws prohibit discrimination across a number of specific categories, workplace bias can take a subtler form that can also be detrimental to employee well-being. The article discusses findings from the VitalSmarts study, which include employees being coerced to hide their identities and the levying of unequal punishment and scrutiny. The piece then provides information relevant to proving discrimination and offers employers advice on how to proactively confront bias.
To read the full article, click here (subscription required).
