Shifting from codeswitching to belonging
One obstacle to wellbeing at work is the belief that we can’t express our true selves because we won’t be accepted by our teammates. Stereotypes and biases related to social identities can pressure underrepresented individuals to “codeswitch,” or adjust their behavior or self-presentation to fit in and be treated fairly. This, combined with a lack of psychological safety, reduces a sense of belonging at work, and can contribute to feelings of psychological distress and cognitive exhaustion.
In this webinar, learn what codeswitching is and the workplace norms that can make it feel necessary. Explore how policy changes can create more inclusive environments where everyone feels safe and empowered to bring their true selves to work.
This webinar was made possible through educational funding from Boehringer Ingelheim.
LEARNING OBJECTIVES:
- Recognize why people codeswitch at work and how it impacts wellbeing.
- Define what it means to experience belonging and psychological safety at work.
- Describe changes you can make—in norms, expectations, and behaviors—to create a more inclusive workplace where everyone feels like they belong.
| Courtney McCluney, PhD, is an award-winning educator, researcher, consultant, and social scientist who teaches and conducts research on workplace wellness and equity. She is the founder of EquiWell Partners™, a strategic advisory firm redesigning work to elevate employees’ wellbeing through rest, recovery, and reflection. She has received international recognition for her groundbreaking research on racial codeswitching in the workplace. Her work has been featured in peer-reviewed academic journals, and in Forbes, Harvard Business Review, BBC, Fortune, Essence, and Black Enterprise magazine. She served as the academic director of workplace inclusion and diversity, and as an assistant professor of organizational behavior at Cornell University’s School of Industrial and Labor Relations. She also was a research fellow at Catalyst, Inc. and an AmeriCorps social enterprise fellow. She won Aspen Institute’s Ideas Worth Teaching Award and is a National Institute of Health grant recipient. |
