TrainingBriefs® A Good Fit?

There is a real danger that comes from making assumptions based on one aspect of a person - such as their name. We all want to be seen as a whole person and our name is just one part of who we are. This type of bias can be very subtle, and we may not even realize it’s even there. When we make decisions, like hiring, based on just the name of a candidate, we exhibit bias. We should instead look not for culture fit but for a culture add – what a person can bring to the team.

When it comes to creating an inclusive workplace – whether for current or even future employees – it’s important to work towards creating a sense of belonging. We need to:

• Speak up if someone is having a hard time pronouncing a name and tell them how to say it.
• Learn a bit more about the name so that you can share this with people if they are being negative about it.
• Say something positive about different kinds of names.
• Support all employees in the appropriate pronunciation of their names and to watch for any biases that start from someone’s name.