BEGINNING BYSTANDER INTERVENTION STRATEGIES

How do we respond when someone says something that is wildly, or even mildly, inappropriate at work or in the classroom? How do we work together to create a healthy workplace? Recent focus on sexual harassment in the workplace has further revealed general harassment, bullying, and microagressions. All of these behaviors engender a range of undesirable workplace climates, from discomfort to daily stress to driving educated, skilled workers away. Bystander Intervention is a mechanism to reduce workplace hostility and engage allies in forging a workplace where all can thrive. We will review two current response strategies to inappropriate workplace behavior and practice them using lived examples.

We have more possibilities in each moment than we realize. – Thich Nhat Hanh