Silence vs. Speaking Up: Responses to Diversity-Related Threats

Abstract: In this symposium, we demonstrate that although employees and organizations may stay silent or fail to hold others accountable in the face of social injustice, speaking up can proactively dispel diversity-related threats. The first presentation establishes that men and women often stay silent on gender-related injustices out of fear (for men, fear of saying the wrong thing; for women, fear of backlash); however, staying silent is often viewed negatively by others. The second presentation corroborates this, finding that employees experience diversity error risk, or fear of saying the wrong thing regarding DEI. This fear can undermine support for diversity efforts unless organizations maintain environments high in psychological safety. The third presentation highlights another risk: employees may seek to justify their biased speech in the workplace by appealing to their right to free speech. These appeals undermine willingness to hold the perpetrator accountable, unless efforts are made to remind bystanders of the negative and harmful consequences of biased speech. The fourth presentation highlights a diversity-related risk external to the organization: anti-DEI litigation, or lawsuits levied to dismantle organizations’ diversity initiatives. This litigation undermines support for diversity efforts, even amongst traditional proponents of such efforts, unless organizations speak up and defend their diversity initiatives. Collectively, these presentations identify both internal and external diversity-related threats but also provide evidence for effective strategies through which organizations can counter these threats. This symposium advances understanding of backlash to diversity efforts and offers practical insights for building and sustaining inclusive organizations.

Keywords: diversity, threat, inequality, mixed-method