Exploring how to effectively have difficult conversations regarding equity and diversity in the workplace

By Kasia Novak-Janus

Difficult conversations help both parties understand each other, but how do you have them without causing rifts or creating a toxic workplace? It’s intimidating and, for most people, daunting to even think about starting a hard conversation with a co-worker.

Recently, the Research Animal Resources and Compliance (RARC) Equity and Diversity (E&D) Working Group hosted its first virtual event on Nov. 23, 2022 for all RARC staff members. The panel discussion, “How to have a respectful and effective communication about diversity at the workplace,” featured several UW–Madison coordinators from throughout campus, such as the diversity coordinator from the School of Veterinary Medicine (SVM), the outreach coordinator from Gender and Sexuality Campus Center (GSCC) and a human resources manager from the Office of the Vice Chancellor for Research and Graduate Education (OVCRGE).

They provided RARC staff tips and guidance on how to handle those difficult E&D related conversations that may pop up in the workplace, such as how to prepare for the conversation. We learned that it is important to self-reflect and to have empathy when having an open discussion. We also learned that your audience, overall setting, and situation will impact the trajectory of your conversation so it is important to be mindful of those factors.

The turnout was such a success that RARC E&D Working Group is brainstorming topics for future panel discussions.

Stay tuned for more details later this year.

To learn more about RARC E&D Working Group, contact Kasia Novak-Janus at novak-janus@rarc.wisc.edu