04-03-2024
A University of Michigan study found white men who personally experienced workplace harassment are more likely to support office efforts to reduce race and gender bias. Overall, white men are less likely to encounter discrimination and harassment at work. But when colleagues have treated them wrongly, these men have an increased likelihood of seeing race and gender bias against others. The study’s author, Erin Cech, said, “White men will be allies in workplace diversity and inclusion efforts only to the extent they recognize that race and gender bias exists in their workplaces and are willing to act.”
The study collected data from over 11,000 workers — including 5,000 white men—in 24 federal agencies. One-third of the white men surveyed said they experienced harassment, such as bullying or physical intimidation. This group was more likely to recognize systemic bias and discrimination and report it than the other white men surveyed. Cech asserts white men subjected to unfair treatment shift their perspective on the workplace, seeing that it may not operate fairly or based on merit. She believes the study is consequential to antiracism and antisexism work as organizations can look to these individuals as potential allies in diversity and inclusion efforts.
Research shows that workplaces with robust allyship have more positive outcomes. Fifty percent of employees are less likely to leave, 56% are more likely to improve their performance, most are less likely to take sick days, and very likely to recommend their workplaces to others. (see Bentley University's Gloria Larson Center for Women and Business). Male allies are essential to addressing workplace discrimination based on sex.