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Unconscious Bias: The Impact of Microaggressions

Microaggressions often happen in moments where intent and impact don’t align.

This training helps employees recognize how subtle comments, assumptions, and everyday behaviors can affect workplace interactions. Learners build the awareness and judgment needed to respond more thoughtfully, communicate with greater clarity, and navigate difficult moments in ways that strengthen trust and respect across teams.

Two employees smiling and engaging in a positive workplace conversation during a team interaction.

Audience

All employees

Format

Self-paced, scenario-based online training

Duration

10 minutes

Download course details Request a demo

The impact of microaggressions in the workplace.

SHIFT helps you equip employees to recognize subtle behaviors and respond effectively in everyday interactions.

68%

of Americans say microaggressions are a serious workplace problem

$59 billion

in lost productivity due to racial inequities

55%

of women report experiencing competence-based microaggressions

Microaggressions often occur in everyday workplace interactions and can be difficult to recognize in the moment. Left unaddressed, they can affect communication, trust, and team dynamics over time. Unconscious Bias: The Impact of Microaggressions helps employees recognize these moments and build the judgment needed to respond more thoughtfully, communicate more effectively, and improve how workplace interactions are experienced by others.

Small moments shape workplace interactions. How employees respond matters.

Course overview

Unconscious Bias: The Impact of Microaggressions equips employees to recognize subtle behaviors that can affect workplace interactions. Through interactive scenarios and real-world examples, learners explore how assumptions, language, and intent influence outcomes. The course builds practical skills to navigate these situations with greater awareness and judgment.

 

Beyond awareness to action

Most microaggression training focuses on definitions and awareness. SHIFT’s approach focuses on how these situations actually unfold. Participants learn to recognize when something may be off in an interaction, assess their role, and decide how to respond—whether they are directly involved or observing the situation as it unfolds.

Key learner takeaways

This training builds the ability to:

  • Recognize behaviors that may be perceived as microaggressions
  • Understand how intent and impact can differ in workplace interactions
  • Identify moments where a response may be needed
  • Navigate situations as the person affected, observer, or contributor
  • Apply practical strategies to improve communication and reduce misunderstandings

I am a huge fan of all of the materials and education SHIFT provides for the growth and success of individual learners in the workplace.

Janney Montgomery Scott logo

Erika Whyte
VP, Director Diversity, Equity and Inclusion

Built on legal and workplace expertise.

SHIFT’s training is designed not just to build awareness, but to help employees navigate everyday workplace interactions and make better decisions in the moment.

  • Reviewed and designed by employment law attorneys
  • Developed with insights from workplace culture, psychology, and behavioral research
  • Focuses on practical action, not just awareness
  • Engaging scenarios drawn from real workplace interactions
  • Reflects the complexity of subtle, ambiguous situations
  • Empowers employees to respond thoughtfully in real time
Unconscious Bias The Impact of Microaggressions Course Questions Screenshot

Proven to change behavior.

  • Moves beyond “check-the-box” training with realistic workplace scenarios
  • Highlights subtle moments where intent and impact may not align
  • Interactive content encourages reflection and perspective-taking
  • Shows how small behaviors influence communication and team dynamics
  • Teaches practical judgment and situational awareness
  • Builds skills to respond appropriately in ambiguous situations
  • Supports more effective workplace interactions

The result is employees who recognize these moments earlier and respond in ways that improve communication and team outcomes

Unconscious Bias The Impact of Microaggressions Course Situation Screenshot

Course details

Format
Self-paced eLearning with interactive scenarios and reflection points
Duration
10 minutes
Languages
English and Spanish (others available upon request)
Certificate
Instant certificate download
Accessibility
WCAG 2.1 AA compliant, screen-reader compatible, closed captions included
Flexible Delivery Options
SCORM-ready training, deployable via client LMS or hosted by SHIFT
Customization
Branding options and full content tailoring available, with updates reviewed to maintain alignment with legal requirements
White Glove Implementation
Dedicated Project Manager
SCORM integration
LMS set-up & admin training
Go-live support and post-launch check-ins

Frequently asked questions about microaggressions training.

Microaggressions are subtle behaviors or comments that may communicate unintended negative or dismissive messages, often in everyday interactions.

Supervisors and non-supervisory employees. The course is designed to improve awareness and decision-making across all roles.

Approximately 10 minutes, with self-paced interactive scenarios.

It is practical. The course focuses on real workplace situations and helps employees decide how to respond when situations are not always clear.

See how SHIFT prepares your teams for real workplace decisions.

Request a demo

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