In some cases, instances of discrimination on the job may qualify as microaggressions. These are relatively small instances, such as comments made by coworkers or supervisors. They are not quite the same as overt discrimination, such as being told that you are not going to get a promotion because of your race or your gender.
There are situations in which a microaggression may actually be framed as a compliment. It is important to know what red flags to look out for to show that you are not actually being treated or perceived fairly.
Potential examples of microaggressions
Every situation is unique, but here are a few examples to show how a microaggression could work, even when it is framed as a compliment.
To begin with, perhaps your family has Hispanic heritage. A coworker comments that they are impressed by your command of the English language since it is not your native language, or they say that you fit in well with American culture for someone who was not born here. In reality, you were born in the United States and have spoken English all your life, but they are making unfair assumptions based on your heritage.
Or perhaps you are an African American employee, and a coworker comments on how well-educated you are. They are shocked to find out that you have a master’s degree, for example. They are operating under the assumption that an African American worker would have a lower level of education, simply based on your racial background.
You can see how problematic these types of comments can be, and they could be indicative of workplace discrimination. If you do believe that you are facing discrimination based on your inclusion in a protected class, then you need to know exactly what legal options you have.