anonymous stories of bias

"There are obstacles on opportunities that can help me develop as a leader. The culture of “No” for me but “Yes” for my colleagues who are white."

Non-Disabled

White

Cisgender Woman

Bias hurt me when...

"I'm misunderstood for hearing voices and judged in a personal, political and societal manner."

After the experience in

Fashion

I eventually quit.

"I'm misunderstood for hearing voices and judged in a personal, political and societal manner."

Non-Disabled

Mixed Race

Cisgender Man

Bias hurt me when...

"An executive tried to block the hiring of an extremely qualified candidate because they had a masters degree from a "sh\*thole country."

After the experience in

Consulting

I told a supervisor.

"An executive tried to block the hiring of an extremely qualified candidate because they had a masters degree from a "sh\*thole country."

Mixed Race

Non-Disabled

Black

Cisgender Woman

Bias hurt me when...

"Instead of confronting me or my manager with direct feedback, my coworker waited to provide negative feedback in my review. Why can't people be upfront and communicate throughout the day/week/month/year? "

After the experience in

Advertising

I told a supervisor.

"Instead of confronting me or my manager with direct feedback, my coworker waited to provide negative feedback in my review. Why can't people be upfront and communicate throughout the day/week/month/year? "

Non-Disabled

Black

Cisgender Woman

Bias hurt me when...

"I was told 'You're not who I hired' to my face, simply because I dared to question processes put in place that didn't help our clients but further confuse them."

After the experience in

Technology

I kept quiet but gave the bare minimum.

"I was told 'You're not who I hired' to my face, simply because I dared to question processes put in place that didn't help our clients but further confuse them."

Non-Disabled

Asian

Cisgender Woman

Bias hurt me when...

"You tell me that my direct, honest communication style works great for the global account that I lead. But then you tell me that I need to change it for American audiences."

After the experience in

Advertising

I told a co-worker.

"You tell me that my direct, honest communication style works great for the global account that I lead. But then you tell me that I need to change it for American audiences."

Non-Disabled

Black

Cisgender Woman

Bias hurt me when...

"When I was hired as an Assoc. Director (AD) one colleague on my team was at a Supervisor level and the other was a Planner. In 2 years the Supervisor became a SVP and in 3 years the Planner became a VP. Although my reviews are stellar crazy how after 5 years, I’m still an AD."

After the experience in

Advertising

I went to HR.

"When I was hired as an Assoc. Director (AD) one colleague on my team was at a Supervisor level and the other was a Planner. In 2 years the Supervisor became a SVP and in 3 years the Planner became a VP. Although my reviews are stellar crazy how after 5 years, I’m still an AD."

"My ideas were only heard and validated when a white man repeated them."

Non-Disabled

Black

Cisgender Woman

Bias hurt me when...

"My ideas were only heard and validated when a white man repeated them."

After the experience in

Finance

I kept quiet but gave the bare minimum.

Physically Disabled

White

Cisgender Woman

Bias hurt me when...

My joints were swollen and incredibly painful due to my autoimmune disease. I had an important session so I pushed myself to get to work. When I explained this to my supervisor her response was “you don’t look sick.”

After the experience in

Healthcare

I kept it to myself.

My joints were swollen and incredibly painful due to my autoimmune disease. I had an important session so I pushed myself to get to work. When I explained this to my supervisor her response was “you don’t look sick.”

"As an executive pursuing an Ivy League MBA I mentioned to the founder/CEO that I was very excited to be graduating soon - he asked if I was getting my GED."

Non-Disabled

Black

Cisgender Man

Bias hurt me when...

"As an executive pursuing an Ivy League MBA I mentioned to the founder/CEO that I was very excited to be graduating soon - he asked if I was getting my GED."

After the experience in

Media

I told a co-worker.

Non-Disabled

White

Cisgender Man

Bias hurt me when...

"When you use the expression “that’s gay” to describe a negative situation — experience or thing — because I identify as gay and therefore you were saying I am less than or you see me in a negative."

After the experience in

Trucking

I told a co-worker.

"When you use the expression “that’s gay” to describe a negative situation — experience or thing — because I identify as gay and therefore you were saying I am less than or you see me in a negative."

Non-Disabled

Black

Cisgender Woman

Bias hurt me when...

"When I was asked to write a blog post for the diversity and inclusion blog about myself and the committee I founded and my story was completely white-washed and edited to be more “corporate”.

After the experience in

Healthcare

I told a co-worker.

"When I was asked to write a blog post for the diversity and inclusion blog about myself and the committee I founded and my story was completely white-washed and edited to be more “corporate”.

Non-Disabled

White

Cisgender Woman

Bias hurt me when...

"When I interviewed for a new position managing a physician practice the doctor insisted on interviewing me himself. He asked me about my family life (was I married — did I have children — etc) and persisted even after I told him that he legally couldn’t ask me those questions."

After the experience in

Healthcare

I eventually quit.

"When I interviewed for a new position managing a physician practice the doctor insisted on interviewing me himself. He asked me about my family life (was I married — did I have children — etc) and persisted even after I told him that he legally couldn’t ask me those questions."

Non-Disabled

Black

Cisgender Man

Bias hurt me when...

"I was blind-sided with feedback from a team that withheld thoughts on ways of working for weeks. Instead of speaking to me directly they went over and around to share their thoughts when I've always had an open door policy. Is it my presence or something deeper that blocked a 1:1?"

After the experience in

Advertising

I told a co-worker.

"I was blind-sided with feedback from a team that withheld thoughts on ways of working for weeks. Instead of speaking to me directly they went over and around to share their thoughts when I've always had an open door policy. Is it my presence or something deeper that blocked a 1:1?"

Non-Disabled

Black

Cisgender Woman

Bias hurt me when...

"I advocated for my white employee to get a $10k raise and she was readily approved for $15k. Months later I asked for a raise but I was denied."

After the experience in

Healthcare

I kept quiet but gave the bare minimum.

"I advocated for my white employee to get a $10k raise and she was readily approved for $15k. Months later I asked for a raise but I was denied."

"My manager who knew about my pre-existing mental health struggles - during the pandemic - during BLM - protests told me she wishes I would just go back to "normal".

Mentally Disabled

White

Cisgender Woman

Bias hurt me when...

"My manager who knew about my pre-existing mental health struggles - during the pandemic - during BLM - protests told me she wishes I would just go back to "normal".

After the experience in

Technology

I told a co-worker.

"A coworker made it a point to state that I 'have an accent' even though I speak English fluently and it's one of 3 languages I speak."

Non-Disabled

Middle Eastern

Cisgender Woman

Bias hurt me when...

"A coworker made it a point to state that I 'have an accent' even though I speak English fluently and it's one of 3 languages I speak."

After the experience in

Technology

I kept it to myself.

Middle Eastern

Non-Disabled

Black

Cisgender Woman

Bias hurt me when...

"As a new employee in group of 3 white women, my supervisor, who was also a white woman said, 'your hair looks like it says pull me'. "

After the experience in

Law Enforcement

I told a co-worker.

"As a new employee in group of 3 white women, my supervisor, who was also a white woman said, 'your hair looks like it says pull me'. "

Non-Disabled

White

Cisgender Woman

Bias hurt me when...

"In my yearly pay review I was not given any technical feedback as a web developer. Instead I got told that I came across too serious and grumpy because I didn't smile enough and heavily implied that it had an impact on the sort of projects that I got resourced for."

After the experience in

Technology

I eventually quit.

"In my yearly pay review I was not given any technical feedback as a web developer. Instead I got told that I came across too serious and grumpy because I didn't smile enough and heavily implied that it had an impact on the sort of projects that I got resourced for."

Non-Disabled

Latinx

Cisgender Woman

Bias hurt me when...

"English is my second language. I am an educator. I have been the Equity Committee’s chair for six years in my school. During this time, four other people have taken intermittently the co-chair position. All of them assumed that I am uncomfortable taking notes during meetings. "

After the experience in

Education

I kept it to myself.

"English is my second language. I am an educator. I have been the Equity Committee’s chair for six years in my school. During this time, four other people have taken intermittently the co-chair position. All of them assumed that I am uncomfortable taking notes during meetings. "

Non-Disabled

Black

Cisgender Woman

Bias hurt me when...

"A White service rep boldly applied a Black stereotype when he asked 'Oh you grew up with your father in your home?' Then he delivered a backhanded compliment by saying 'And you’re doing so well! Your parents must be so proud' as if it came as a surprise to him."

After the experience in

Healthcare

I kept it to myself.

"A White service rep boldly applied a Black stereotype when he asked 'Oh you grew up with your father in your home?' Then he delivered a backhanded compliment by saying 'And you’re doing so well! Your parents must be so proud' as if it came as a surprise to him."

Non-Disabled

Asian

Cisgender Woman

Bias hurt me when...

"My boss told a fellow female coworker and friend to "go back to the kitchen" while a bunch of us were chatting casually in the office."

After the experience in

Technology

I told a co-worker.

"My boss told a fellow female coworker and friend to "go back to the kitchen" while a bunch of us were chatting casually in the office."

Non-Disabled

Black

Cisgender Woman

Bias hurt me when...

"A black vice president told me that in order for black leadership to help and support me, I had to impress them first."

After the experience in

Healthcare

I told a supervisor.

"A black vice president told me that in order for black leadership to help and support me, I had to impress them first."

Non-Disabled

White

Cisgender Man

Bias hurt me when...

"When I announced to my supervisor that I intended to take family leave when my first child was born I was told other men "only took two weeks""

After the experience in

Education

I kept it to myself.

"When I announced to my supervisor that I intended to take family leave when my first child was born I was told other men "only took two weeks""

Non-Disabled

Latinx

Cisgender Woman

Bias hurt me when...

"I use my nickname on my resume which makes it hard to infer my gender. Recruiters would be noticeable disappointed when they would realize I was a woman and their tone would change. When recruiters reacted like that I know I wouldn't get a second call."

After the experience in

Engineering

I kept it to myself.

"I use my nickname on my resume which makes it hard to infer my gender. Recruiters would be noticeable disappointed when they would realize I was a woman and their tone would change. When recruiters reacted like that I know I wouldn't get a second call."

"A colleague of mine told me that I was the first ever Asian they saw in a strategy role as most Asians do analytics."

Physically Disabled

Asian

Cisgender Woman

Bias hurt me when...

"A colleague of mine told me that I was the first ever Asian they saw in a strategy role as most Asians do analytics."

After the experience in

Media

I kept it to myself.

Non-Disabled

White

Cisgender Woman

Bias hurt me when...

"I'm judged for a role based on years experience. What about quality of experience or depth of experience? Can you guarantee that 'years' of experience leads to better hires? No."

After the experience in

Education

I kept it to myself.

"I'm judged for a role based on years experience. What about quality of experience or depth of experience? Can you guarantee that 'years' of experience leads to better hires? No."

"I was told I was not collaborative and a good 'culture fit' when I walked in front of my male co-presenter on stage to better engage with an audience of 150 people."

Non-Disabled

White

Cisgender Woman

Bias hurt me when...

"I was told I was not collaborative and a good 'culture fit' when I walked in front of my male co-presenter on stage to better engage with an audience of 150 people."

After the experience in

Marketing

I told a co-worker.

Non-Disabled

Black

Cisgender Woman

Bias hurt me when...

I wore gold hoop earrings to work and a coworker said "LOVE the hoops! You look like the girls in rap videos!"

After the experience in

Education

I told a co-worker.

I wore gold hoop earrings to work and a coworker said "LOVE the hoops! You look like the girls in rap videos!"

"I was asked by executives to specifically remove people of my skin color and cultural heritage from company marketing materials."

Non-Disabled

Mixed Race

Cisgender Man

Bias hurt me when...

"I was asked by executives to specifically remove people of my skin color and cultural heritage from company marketing materials."

After the experience in

Technology

I kept it to myself.

Mixed Race

"I was told I was not collaborative and a good “culture fit” when I walked in front of my male co-presenter on stage to better engage with an audience of 150 people. "

Non-Disabled

White

Cisgender Woman

Bias hurt me when...

"I was told I was not collaborative and a good “culture fit” when I walked in front of my male co-presenter on stage to better engage with an audience of 150 people. "

After the experience in

Marketing

I told a co-worker.

2

Non-Disabled

Middle Eastern

Cisgender Woman

Bias hurt me when...

"I realized my boss was hiring people outside of the US so he can pay them less (some as little as $6/hour!)"

After the experience in

Technology

I kept quiet but gave the bare minimum.

"I realized my boss was hiring people outside of the US so he can pay them less (some as little as $6/hour!)"

Middle Eastern

Non-Disabled

South Asian

Cisgender Woman

Bias hurt me when...

"A white male client said that my English is better than my father's. Like it's a competition. Like he had the power to judge me when he only knows one language. Knowing English, or how advance your English speaking skills are, is not a measure of intelligence."

After the experience in

Retail

I kept it to myself.

"A white male client said that my English is better than my father's. Like it's a competition. Like he had the power to judge me when he only knows one language. Knowing English, or how advance your English speaking skills are, is not a measure of intelligence."

Non-Disabled

White

Cisgender Woman

Bias hurt me when...

"During a salary negotiation for an offer I was going to accept the recruiter tells me I'm 'greedy' for not taking a salary that is less than what I made at the time. But then offered a white male friend of mine a higher salary for a role I would have been supervising."

After the experience in

Technology

I kept it to myself.

"During a salary negotiation for an offer I was going to accept the recruiter tells me I'm 'greedy' for not taking a salary that is less than what I made at the time. But then offered a white male friend of mine a higher salary for a role I would have been supervising."

Non-Disabled

White

Cisgender Woman

Bias hurt me when...

"I applied for a job at a famous cafe. After chatting with the manager, I was sent to the basement to meet the owner. There I found a white man sitting alone. He asked if I had waitressing experience (no). Then he looked over my body, up and down very slowly, and said That's OK."

After the experience in

Travel & Hospitality

I kept quiet but gave the bare minimum.

"I applied for a job at a famous cafe. After chatting with the manager, I was sent to the basement to meet the owner. There I found a white man sitting alone. He asked if I had waitressing experience (no). Then he looked over my body, up and down very slowly, and said That's OK."

Non-Disabled

Black

Cisgender Man

Bias hurt me when...

"One time during a work mixer I was introducing myself to a few clients in the advertising industry. Someone made a comment which implied that I worked closely with the few POC at the company."

After the experience in

Advertising

I kept it to myself.

"One time during a work mixer I was introducing myself to a few clients in the advertising industry. Someone made a comment which implied that I worked closely with the few POC at the company."

"My boss grabbed my breast at a holiday party and said "Sorry! I just had to do it!"

Non-Disabled

Black

Cisgender Woman

Bias hurt me when...

"My boss grabbed my breast at a holiday party and said "Sorry! I just had to do it!"

After the experience in

Technology

I told a co-worker.

Non-Disabled

South Asian

Non-Binary

Bias hurt me when...

"My mom (who was visiting) lovingly cooked some food to share with my team and my manager said that since she has amazing cooking skills she should live rent-free in a cabin on his property and cook for him on a daily basis. He then made fun of her accent."

After the experience in

Technology

I told a co-worker.

"My mom (who was visiting) lovingly cooked some food to share with my team and my manager said that since she has amazing cooking skills she should live rent-free in a cabin on his property and cook for him on a daily basis. He then made fun of her accent."

Non-Binary

Non-Disabled

White

Cisgender Woman

Bias hurt me when...

"while I was on maternity leave, my company told me I was no longer needed, but I should be happy about that since I could be a stay-at-home mom. "

After the experience in

Retail

I went to HR.

"while I was on maternity leave, my company told me I was no longer needed, but I should be happy about that since I could be a stay-at-home mom. "

Non-Disabled

White

Cisgender Woman

Bias hurt me when...

"When I was a 21 y.o. grad student, I experienced sexual harassment by my supervisor. He regularly made comments about my body and the bodies of other female students. When I told him I was wearing red socks for Valentine's Day, he asked me if I was wearing a red thong to match. "

After the experience in

Healthcare

I kept it to myself.

"When I was a 21 y.o. grad student, I experienced sexual harassment by my supervisor. He regularly made comments about my body and the bodies of other female students. When I told him I was wearing red socks for Valentine's Day, he asked me if I was wearing a red thong to match. "

"Leadership would call me a Creative Director but refused to give me the title and compensation that goes with it."

Non-Disabled

White

Cisgender Woman

Bias hurt me when...

"Leadership would call me a Creative Director but refused to give me the title and compensation that goes with it."

After the experience in

Advertising

I eventually quit.

Non-Disabled

South Asian

Cisgender Woman

Bias hurt me when...

Post my 30th birthday party I returned to work the coming Monday with the same hair-do. A creative director interrupted me in the meeting and said "You look like a million bucks. You could easily work for — what is that Arab Middle-eastern news channel? Ahh — Al Jazeera".

After the experience in

Marketing

I went to HR.

Post my 30th birthday party I returned to work the coming Monday with the same hair-do. A creative director interrupted me in the meeting and said "You look like a million bucks. You could easily work for — what is that Arab Middle-eastern news channel? Ahh — Al Jazeera".

Non-Disabled

Black

Cisgender Woman

Bias hurt me when...

"I had a meeting with my boss where she announced a new hire. My white supervisor asked "what's her heritage and ethnic background" because the email that the new hire wrote was written "so eloquently". The new hire was black."

After the experience in

Finance

I eventually quit.

"I had a meeting with my boss where she announced a new hire. My white supervisor asked "what's her heritage and ethnic background" because the email that the new hire wrote was written "so eloquently". The new hire was black."

Non-Disabled

Black

Cisgender Man

Bias hurt me when...

"I voiced disagreement or pointed out potential issues with ideas in team meetings. I was told I was being negative and aggressive. One particular coworker would cry whenever I gave constructive feedback on their work or performance. I was essentially asked to smile in meetings."

After the experience in

Education

I kept it to myself.

"I voiced disagreement or pointed out potential issues with ideas in team meetings. I was told I was being negative and aggressive. One particular coworker would cry whenever I gave constructive feedback on their work or performance. I was essentially asked to smile in meetings."

Mentally Disabled

White

Cisgender Woman

Bias hurt me when...

"When I was about to make an offer to a new hire the CEO of my company pulled me aside to give me some advice. He wanted me to know that women don't negotiate and I should offer a lower number to her. I was stunned as I am a woman and he hired me."

After the experience in

Technology

I eventually quit.

"When I was about to make an offer to a new hire the CEO of my company pulled me aside to give me some advice. He wanted me to know that women don't negotiate and I should offer a lower number to her. I was stunned as I am a woman and he hired me."

"My male manager told me that women are never the same after they come back to work after having a baby. He said their work suffers because their focus is no longer there. Little did he know I was pregnant at the time."

Non-Disabled

White

Cisgender Woman

Bias hurt me when...

"My male manager told me that women are never the same after they come back to work after having a baby. He said their work suffers because their focus is no longer there. Little did he know I was pregnant at the time."

After the experience in

Advertising

I went to HR.

12

Non-Disabled

White

Cisgender Woman

Bias hurt me when...

"I was an early employee at a startup. When investors came to the office - I and my other female coworker were asked to leave the office and wait in the common area of the co-working space until the investors left."

After the experience in

Engineering

I eventually quit.

"I was an early employee at a startup. When investors came to the office - I and my other female coworker were asked to leave the office and wait in the common area of the co-working space until the investors left."

Mentally Disabled

White

Cisgender Woman

Bias hurt me when...

"My male CEO continually and frequently would disagree with me before finishing a sentence as my experience wasn't as valid as his. He told me this in a 121."

After the experience in

Nonprofit

I kept quiet but gave the bare minimum.

"My male CEO continually and frequently would disagree with me before finishing a sentence as my experience wasn't as valid as his. He told me this in a 121."

"Several organizations rejected me once they heard my stuttering during the interview process."

Physically Disabled

White

Cisgender Man

Bias hurt me when...

"Several organizations rejected me once they heard my stuttering during the interview process."

After the experience in

Technology

I kept it to myself.

Non-Disabled

White

Cisgender Woman

Bias hurt me when...

"We posted hurtful creative — photos of 'sunburnt' employees to promote a picnic themed happy hour. I was speaking up for POC employees that had come to me that weren't represented in the photos."

After the experience in

Marketing

I went to HR.

"We posted hurtful creative — photos of 'sunburnt' employees to promote a picnic themed happy hour. I was speaking up for POC employees that had come to me that weren't represented in the photos."

Physically Disabled

White

Cisgender Man

Bias hurt me when...

"When I was job hunting several organizations rejected me once they heard my stuttering during the interview process. They made a choice to focus on that single negative rather than the many positive things I would have brought to the organization."

After the experience in

Technology

I kept it to myself.

"When I was job hunting several organizations rejected me once they heard my stuttering during the interview process. They made a choice to focus on that single negative rather than the many positive things I would have brought to the organization."

Non-Disabled

Black

Cisgender Woman

Bias hurt me when...

"I overheard that my pending promotion was being delayed because there was doubt about my ability to present in front of our Board of Directors - a group comprised primarily of white older men."

After the experience in

Education

I kept quiet but gave the bare minimum.

"I overheard that my pending promotion was being delayed because there was doubt about my ability to present in front of our Board of Directors - a group comprised primarily of white older men."

"I was told 'You're not who I hired' to my face, simply because I dared to question processes put in place that didn't help our clients but further confuse them."

Non-Disabled

Black

Cisgender Woman

Bias hurt me when...

"I was told 'You're not who I hired' to my face, simply because I dared to question processes put in place that didn't help our clients but further confuse them."

After the experience in

Technology

I kept quiet but gave the bare minimum.

Non-Disabled

White

Cisgender Woman

Bias hurt me when...

"My new manager told me that he saw my role as "administrative" - scheduling meetings, coordinating social engagements and stocking supplies. At the time I was leading Operations for a $5B business. After I left for another role he requested a male backfill."

After the experience in

Fashion

I told a supervisor.

"My new manager told me that he saw my role as "administrative" - scheduling meetings, coordinating social engagements and stocking supplies. At the time I was leading Operations for a $5B business. After I left for another role he requested a male backfill."

Non-Disabled

Southeast Asian

Cisgender Woman

Bias hurt me when...

"You chose to not acknowledge my contribution to the success of one of our biggest brands and proceeded to overlook me for a promotion...more than once."

After the experience in

Advertising

I told a co-worker.

"You chose to not acknowledge my contribution to the success of one of our biggest brands and proceeded to overlook me for a promotion...more than once."

Southeast Asian

Non-Disabled

Black

Cisgender Woman

Bias hurt me when...

"It's target is patients of color. I've seen unnecessary interventions carried out for training purposes. Assumptions being made based on stereotypes which easily leads to substandard care and I see how demanding patients are either tolerated or dismissed based on skin color."

After the experience in

Healthcare

I told a co-worker.

"It's target is patients of color. I've seen unnecessary interventions carried out for training purposes. Assumptions being made based on stereotypes which easily leads to substandard care and I see how demanding patients are either tolerated or dismissed based on skin color."

Non-Disabled

White

Cisgender Woman

Bias hurt me when...

"I was about to pitch a project about soccer to a client. I have been a huge athlete my whole life, and was so excited. I created the work, but was not allowed to present my own work to the client, because I was told by my account manager they didn't want any gringas in the meeting."

After the experience in

Advertising

I told a supervisor.

"I was about to pitch a project about soccer to a client. I have been a huge athlete my whole life, and was so excited. I created the work, but was not allowed to present my own work to the client, because I was told by my account manager they didn't want any gringas in the meeting."

Non-Disabled

Asian

Cisgender Woman

Bias hurt me when...

"I received a back handed compliment from my white female supervisor that I'm not passive aggressive like other Asians."

After the experience in

Advertising

I kept it to myself.

"I received a back handed compliment from my white female supervisor that I'm not passive aggressive like other Asians."

Non-Disabled

Latinx

Cisgender Woman

Bias hurt me when...

"I was called into HR because I was too "outspoken" and "aggressive" in my leadership. I was then told that they "understood" that it was a cultural thing and that I just had to work at it. My leadership style at the time was no different than that of my white male counterpart."

After the experience in

Consulting

I kept it to myself.

"I was called into HR because I was too "outspoken" and "aggressive" in my leadership. I was then told that they "understood" that it was a cultural thing and that I just had to work at it. My leadership style at the time was no different than that of my white male counterpart."

Non-Disabled

Mixed Race

Cisgender Man

Bias hurt me when...

"I was asked by executives to specifically remove people of my skin color and cultural heritage from company marketing materials."

After the experience in

Technology

I kept it to myself.

"I was asked by executives to specifically remove people of my skin color and cultural heritage from company marketing materials."

Mixed Race

"A black vice president told me that in order for black leadership to help and support me, I had to impress them first."

Non-Disabled

Black

Cisgender Woman

Bias hurt me when...

"A black vice president told me that in order for black leadership to help and support me, I had to impress them first."

After the experience in

Healthcare

I told a supervisor.

"As a professional photographer for twenty years, on photo-shoots, editors and clients walk right past me “looking for the photographer”. They assume because I am a woman, I'm the makeup artist. "

Non-Disabled

White

Cisgender Woman

Bias hurt me when...

"As a professional photographer for twenty years, on photo-shoots, editors and clients walk right past me “looking for the photographer”. They assume because I am a woman, I'm the makeup artist. "

After the experience in

Advertising

I kept it to myself.

2

Mentally Disabled

White

Cisgender Woman

Bias hurt me when...

"I told my supervisor I was being treated for depression to explain the changes in my demeanor at work and elicit his support. A few months later, I called out sick. When I returned to work, he said with a sneer, Were you really sick? Or was it just your 'depression'? "

After the experience in

Healthcare

I kept it to myself.

"I told my supervisor I was being treated for depression to explain the changes in my demeanor at work and elicit his support. A few months later, I called out sick. When I returned to work, he said with a sneer, Were you really sick? Or was it just your 'depression'? "

"I received a back handed compliment from my white female supervisor that I'm not passive aggressive like other Asians."

Non-Disabled

Asian

Cisgender Woman

Bias hurt me when...

"I received a back handed compliment from my white female supervisor that I'm not passive aggressive like other Asians."

After the experience in

Advertising

I kept it to myself.

"I was told I was not collaborative and a good “culture fit” when I walked in front of my male co-presenter on stage to better engage with an audience of 150 people. "

Non-Disabled

White

Cisgender Woman

Bias hurt me when...

"I was told I was not collaborative and a good “culture fit” when I walked in front of my male co-presenter on stage to better engage with an audience of 150 people. "

After the experience in

Marketing

I told a co-worker.

2

Non-Disabled

Black

Cisgender Woman

Bias hurt me when...

"My boss grabbed my breast at a holiday party and said 'Sorry! I just had to do it!' There was alcohol involved and they conveniently forgot that it happened. I confided in a coworker who told me I must be mistaken. The instinct was to protect the harasser instead of the harassed."

After the experience in

Technology

I told a co-worker.

"My boss grabbed my breast at a holiday party and said 'Sorry! I just had to do it!' There was alcohol involved and they conveniently forgot that it happened. I confided in a coworker who told me I must be mistaken. The instinct was to protect the harasser instead of the harassed."

Non-Disabled

White

Cisgender Woman

Bias hurt me when...

"My colleagues tell me that I don't have any commitments at home and therefore have the ability to stay late at work to pick up the slack from others. It hurts because I didn't choose not to have children - it's how life turned out for me. "

After the experience in

Biotech

I kept it to myself.

"My colleagues tell me that I don't have any commitments at home and therefore have the ability to stay late at work to pick up the slack from others. It hurts because I didn't choose not to have children - it's how life turned out for me. "

Non-Disabled

Asian

Cisgender Woman

Bias hurt me when...

"My company-wide accomplished projects are credited to others when the majority of the hard work and management was done by me. They get the promotions because their fast-talking charm are heard by their exec peers and I’m not in that circle - nor are other non white people."

After the experience in

Technology

I told a supervisor.

"My company-wide accomplished projects are credited to others when the majority of the hard work and management was done by me. They get the promotions because their fast-talking charm are heard by their exec peers and I’m not in that circle - nor are other non white people."

"During a salary negotiation for an offer I was going to accept the recruiter tells me I'm 'greedy' for not taking a salary that is less than what I made at the time."

Non-Disabled

White

Cisgender Woman

Bias hurt me when...

"During a salary negotiation for an offer I was going to accept the recruiter tells me I'm 'greedy' for not taking a salary that is less than what I made at the time."

After the experience in

Technology

I kept it to myself.

Non-Disabled

White

Cisgender Woman

Bias hurt me when...

"I was told I was not collaborative and a good “culture fit” when I walked in front of my male co-presenter on stage to better engage with an audience of 150 people."

After the experience in

Marketing

I told a co-worker.

"I was told I was not collaborative and a good “culture fit” when I walked in front of my male co-presenter on stage to better engage with an audience of 150 people."

"When in meetings when I — or any other woman in leadership —disagreed with anything or it was thought that we might — the head of the company would tell our staff that "the claws were coming out". It helped to foster a hostile environment."

Non-Disabled

White

Cisgender Woman

Bias hurt me when...

"When in meetings when I — or any other woman in leadership —disagreed with anything or it was thought that we might — the head of the company would tell our staff that "the claws were coming out". It helped to foster a hostile environment."

After the experience in

Advertising

I told a supervisor.

10

Non-Disabled

Middle Eastern

Cisgender Woman

Bias hurt me when...

"A coworker made it a point to state that I "have an accent" even though I speak English fluently and it's one of 3 languages I speak. This coworker even admitted that I write better than anyone else on the team."

After the experience in

Technology

I kept it to myself.

"A coworker made it a point to state that I "have an accent" even though I speak English fluently and it's one of 3 languages I speak. This coworker even admitted that I write better than anyone else on the team."

Middle Eastern

Non-Disabled

White

Cisgender Woman

Bias hurt me when...

"When leadership would call me a creative director but refused to give me the title and compensation that goes with it — all the while formally promoting my male counterparts."

After the experience in

Advertising

I eventually quit.

"When leadership would call me a creative director but refused to give me the title and compensation that goes with it — all the while formally promoting my male counterparts."

Non-Disabled

Black

Cisgender Man

Bias hurt me when...

"I was telling my coworkers about the use of electronics equipment - that I have experience with from use in the past - and the manager said to one of the employees that he does not think I have used such equipment because how could I have afforded it being black."

After the experience in

Telecommunications

I kept quiet but gave the bare minimum.

"I was telling my coworkers about the use of electronics equipment - that I have experience with from use in the past - and the manager said to one of the employees that he does not think I have used such equipment because how could I have afforded it being black."

Non-Disabled

Latinx

Cisgender Man

Bias hurt me when...

"Three leaders created a disreputable narrative about my communication skills. A less experienced peer played into their narrative and was promoted over me. I never had communication issues in seven years, and it seemed to only come up when I was getting close to a promotion."

After the experience in

Media

I eventually quit.

"Three leaders created a disreputable narrative about my communication skills. A less experienced peer played into their narrative and was promoted over me. I never had communication issues in seven years, and it seemed to only come up when I was getting close to a promotion."

Non-Disabled

Black

Cisgender Woman

Bias hurt me when...

"I told my boss that I had to take short term disability to recover from surgery. On my last day in the office as we were reviewing my handoff document for coverage he said, "You don't even look sick." And he wondered why I didn't feel like I could confide in him."

After the experience in

Advertising

I eventually quit.

"I told my boss that I had to take short term disability to recover from surgery. On my last day in the office as we were reviewing my handoff document for coverage he said, "You don't even look sick." And he wondered why I didn't feel like I could confide in him."

Non-Disabled

Black

Cisgender Man

Bias hurt me when...

"Sitting amongst my white colleagues — a white Sales Director looked in my eyes while walking into a conference room for a meeting and offered $100 to the person who would pull him out of the meeting in 10 min."

After the experience in

Advertising

I kept quiet but gave the bare minimum.

"Sitting amongst my white colleagues — a white Sales Director looked in my eyes while walking into a conference room for a meeting and offered $100 to the person who would pull him out of the meeting in 10 min."

Non-Disabled

White

Cisgender Man

Bias hurt me when...

"A leader in our agency referred to a creative concept as gay. Which might have been ok if they meant homosexual but instead they just meant to say it was bad."

After the experience in

Advertising

I kept it to myself.

"A leader in our agency referred to a creative concept as gay. Which might have been ok if they meant homosexual but instead they just meant to say it was bad."

Non-Disabled

White

Cisgender Woman

Bias hurt me when...

"I’m perceived as younger than I am with the associated assumptions. That I don’t have first hand experience to validate my expertise in my career role. And that my age makes me less qualified to do my job. "

After the experience in

Education

I kept it to myself.

"I’m perceived as younger than I am with the associated assumptions. That I don’t have first hand experience to validate my expertise in my career role. And that my age makes me less qualified to do my job. "

Non-Disabled

White

Cisgender Woman

Bias hurt me when...

"As a young female producer I needed to bring an older male producer into a conversation with a union representative in order to have enough credibility to have the conversation we needed to have — despite being the lead producer on the project."

After the experience in

Film

I eventually quit.

"As a young female producer I needed to bring an older male producer into a conversation with a union representative in order to have enough credibility to have the conversation we needed to have — despite being the lead producer on the project."

Non-Disabled

Southeast Asian

Cisgender Woman

Bias hurt me when...

"You chose to not put me on a sports brand because of my gender despite the knowledge of my athletic background and my past career experience working on a major sporting event."

After the experience in

Advertising

I kept it to myself.

"You chose to not put me on a sports brand because of my gender despite the knowledge of my athletic background and my past career experience working on a major sporting event."

Southeast Asian

Non-Disabled

Asian

Cisgender Man

Bias hurt me when...

"Every time we have a pitch meeting where there is an Asian person in their side - I get pulled into the meeting as if me being Chinese American would create an instant connection with the other Asian person regardless of nationality or cultural background."

After the experience in

Marketing

I kept it to myself.

"Every time we have a pitch meeting where there is an Asian person in their side - I get pulled into the meeting as if me being Chinese American would create an instant connection with the other Asian person regardless of nationality or cultural background."

"When I announced to my supervisor that I intended to take family leave when my first child was born I was told other men "only took two weeks."

Non-Disabled

White

Cisgender Man

Bias hurt me when...

"When I announced to my supervisor that I intended to take family leave when my first child was born I was told other men "only took two weeks."

After the experience in

Education

I kept it to myself.

"The firm removed me from a long-term corporate client and placed me with a nonprofit one solely to present a 'Black face' after another police killing."

Non-Disabled

Black

Cisgender Man

Bias hurt me when...

"The firm removed me from a long-term corporate client and placed me with a nonprofit one solely to present a 'Black face' after another police killing."

After the experience in

Communications

I kept it to myself.

Non-Disabled

Latinx

Cisgender Woman

Bias hurt me when...

"A supervisor reprimanded me for not stating something to a client in a gentler and softer way which was expected since I am a woman. I had to inform a client in a professional yet firm way that something they wished to be done could not be done."

After the experience in

Real Estate

I kept it to myself.

"A supervisor reprimanded me for not stating something to a client in a gentler and softer way which was expected since I am a woman. I had to inform a client in a professional yet firm way that something they wished to be done could not be done."

Non-Disabled

Black

Cisgender Woman

Bias hurt me when...

"As the only black woman in a leader position at an investor-owned utility, my Sr. VP said to me "there is no racism in this country".

After the experience in

Utilities

I eventually quit.

"As the only black woman in a leader position at an investor-owned utility, my Sr. VP said to me "there is no racism in this country".

"My manager told me that he didn't understand why I would want a pay raise because my husband worked."

Non-Disabled

White

Cisgender Woman

Bias hurt me when...

"My manager told me that he didn't understand why I would want a pay raise because my husband worked."

After the experience in

Consumer Goods

I kept it to myself.

"My ideas were only heard and validated when a white man repeated them."

Non-Disabled

Black

Cisgender Woman

Bias hurt me when...

"My ideas were only heard and validated when a white man repeated them."

After the experience in

Finance

I kept quiet but gave the bare minimum.

10

Non-Disabled

White

Cisgender Woman

Bias hurt me when...

"I was passed over for a promotion that went to a less competent white male who failed in the role. After he was let go I was 'promoted' to take his place and expected to clean up his mess. With no raise. I was not the only woman treated this way at this company."

After the experience in

Marketing

I eventually quit.

"I was passed over for a promotion that went to a less competent white male who failed in the role. After he was let go I was 'promoted' to take his place and expected to clean up his mess. With no raise. I was not the only woman treated this way at this company."

Non-Disabled

White

Cisgender Woman

Bias hurt me when...

"After I returned from a vacation I was told by a white male that he needs to get his wife a job like I have because then they could take vacations too. He then said, "Just kidding. We still have kids at home and don't want to neglect them." (I had 3 young children.)"

After the experience in

Technology

I told a supervisor.

"After I returned from a vacation I was told by a white male that he needs to get his wife a job like I have because then they could take vacations too. He then said, "Just kidding. We still have kids at home and don't want to neglect them." (I had 3 young children.)"

"A white male client said that my English is better than my father's. Like he had the power to judge me when he only knows one language."

Non-Disabled

South Asian

Cisgender Woman

Bias hurt me when...

"A white male client said that my English is better than my father's. Like he had the power to judge me when he only knows one language."

After the experience in

Retail

I kept it to myself.

Non-Disabled

White

Cisgender Woman

Bias hurt me when...

"I am a redhead. As a manager I didn't have negative perform reviews - meet all goals - brought in over $500,000 in revenue. Out of the blue I was told that I was being demoted. The reason: I am too emotional. I show my emotions and I don't always have a smile on my face."

After the experience in

Technology

I went to HR.

"I am a redhead. As a manager I didn't have negative perform reviews - meet all goals - brought in over $500,000 in revenue. Out of the blue I was told that I was being demoted. The reason: I am too emotional. I show my emotions and I don't always have a smile on my face."

Mentally Disabled

White

Cisgender Woman

Bias hurt me when...

My manager who knew about my pre-existing mental health struggles - during the pandemic - during BLM - protests told me she wishes I would just go back to 'normal'.

After the experience in

Technology

I told a co-worker.

My manager who knew about my pre-existing mental health struggles - during the pandemic - during BLM - protests told me she wishes I would just go back to 'normal'.

Non-Disabled

Black

Cisgender Woman

Bias hurt me when...

"Our company CEO emailed me to curtly request that I bring him a coffee. I had spoken with him twice since I joined the company in a business development role. His assistant and I were the only two women of color at the company, and she was out that day."

After the experience in

Finance

I kept it to myself.

"Our company CEO emailed me to curtly request that I bring him a coffee. I had spoken with him twice since I joined the company in a business development role. His assistant and I were the only two women of color at the company, and she was out that day."

Non-Disabled

White

Cisgender Woman

Bias hurt me when...

"My manager told me that he didn't understand why I would want a pay raise (to bring me in line with my performance and experience) because my husband worked...so why would I need more money? "

After the experience in

Consumer Goods

I kept it to myself.

"My manager told me that he didn't understand why I would want a pay raise (to bring me in line with my performance and experience) because my husband worked...so why would I need more money? "

"It hurt when you touched my hair."

Non-Disabled

Black

Cisgender Woman

Bias hurt me when...

"It hurt when you touched my hair."

After the experience in

Advertising

I kept it to myself.

"I was told that someone had made a comment about being the hood kid from Compton."

Non-Disabled

Black

Cisgender Man

Bias hurt me when...

"I was told that someone had made a comment about being the hood kid from Compton."

After the experience in

I told a co-worker.

Physically Disabled

Asian

Cisgender Woman

Bias hurt me when...

"A colleague of mine told me that I was the first ever Asian they saw in a strategy role as most Asians do analytics. It made me feel like I was lumped into a group of people versus been seen as a unique individual with differing talents."

After the experience in

Media

I kept it to myself.

"A colleague of mine told me that I was the first ever Asian they saw in a strategy role as most Asians do analytics. It made me feel like I was lumped into a group of people versus been seen as a unique individual with differing talents."

Non-Disabled

White

Cisgender Woman

Bias hurt me when...

"In college, I received a service award for my inner city work. During the award presentation, the presenter kept saying how nice it was when affluent white students help poor children of color. I was never affluent, and those 'poor children' helped me more than I did them. "

After the experience in

Education

I kept it to myself.

"In college, I received a service award for my inner city work. During the award presentation, the presenter kept saying how nice it was when affluent white students help poor children of color. I was never affluent, and those 'poor children' helped me more than I did them. "

Non-Disabled

White

Cisgender Woman

Bias hurt me when...

"My manager told me he was worried I didn't know how to keep information confidential. When I asked him why, he said "I talked to a lot of people", but he didn't have any specific feedback where I shared something I shouldn't have. Because being social is a bad thing?"

After the experience in

Technology

I told a co-worker.

"My manager told me he was worried I didn't know how to keep information confidential. When I asked him why, he said "I talked to a lot of people", but he didn't have any specific feedback where I shared something I shouldn't have. Because being social is a bad thing?"