Combating Unconscious Bias

Taking the Blinders Off

Your Instructor

• Program Manager Commercial Electronics’ QA/QI

Program Manager and HigherGround Trainer

• Masters Telecommunicator Proficiency Certification

Texas Commission on Law Enforcement (TCOLE)

• TCOLE instructor

• Past President Texas Chapter of the National Emergency

Number Association (NENA)

• We travel full time with a chihuahua, five cats, and 2

hedgehogs
Is this bias?
Objectives for today

Define unconscious bias

Discuss ways in which unconscious bias manifests itself in the
workplace
Identify ways to recognize when unconscious bias is affecting one’s
interactions with co-workers and subordinates
Identify ways in which unconscious bias affect’s one’s career
Identify solutions for combating unconscious bias
What is Unconscious Bias?

Prejudice or unsupported judgments in favor of or against one thing,

person, or group
Usually considered unfair

Occurs automatically as the brain makes quick judgments

based on past experiences and background.
What are some common biases?
What are other biases you may have?
Condescending Giving co-workers
degrading nicknames
Dismissiveness
Disrespect

Texting about co-workers

in front of them

Treating a co-worker a
certain way because they
remind you of someone
you don’t like

Bias manifested in the workplace

How to recognize how bias…
 …affects interactions with co-workers
Complaining about co- Pre-occupation with
workers who have kids how others’ clothes fit
and what they eat
Only associate with
certain people from
work

Holding some employees

Avoid co-workers more accountable than
who have different others
political views
Participate in
Avoid others in conversations making
cliques fun of others
Identify ways unconscious bias
affects your career when you’re a…
Telecommunicator
 …or a
supervisor
 …or a Manager/Director

Negligent Retention

Promotions based on affinity

Allowing/participating in sexual comments among subordinates

Dismissal of professional information based on gender

How do we
combat
these
biases?
Awareness
Knowledge

Learning is Hard. Unlearning is even harder.

 Skills

Diversity skills allow people to interact with others in a way that

respects and values differences

Expose yourself!
 Action

• Think of a group you

have a bias against
• Imagine a positive
interaction
• Make the change
Questions?