Stereotypes In The Workplace

Do you think that someone will be good at a sport because of their race? Michael Scott from the T.V. show The Office thinks so. The Office is a sitcom which depicts the “typical” office environment with Michal Scott being the boss who is very insensitive and says things most people would see as very rude, but he thinks of as normal. In the office Stanley is the only African American and Oscar is the only Latino, these two are typically quiet and are insulted by Michael.

Stereotypes mean that people have preconceived ideas and understandings about some people or something. These views and understanding are relatively deep-rooted, is the first time we see that person or that thing, therefore people can quickly respond to these situations and give countermeasures. It is obvious that positive stereotypes can improve the efficiency of work. When people have a positive impression of a group, region, or thing, they generally have a positive attitude. At this time, preconceptions are affection, trust, and expectation. But in our life, most stereotypes have a negative attitude in contemporary society. When we talked about “stereotype”, it usually provides some bad influences in our life. Someone agrees that stereotypes can help us to build the first expression quickly while others counter it by mentioning that we can not use the stereotypes to measure a person or something. In my opinion, the negative stereotypes are happening and integrating into our life every day. For example, we can find gender stereotypes in the advertisement even in the working field. It changes our mind directly and we give the stereotypes up and to be equal in gender.

When conducting my research into how cultural stereotypes can affect intercultural communication between India and Australia, I received interesting feedback. I discovered my interviewees have experienced cultural stereotypes and have found stereotyping made intercultural communication quite difficult. Question 3 was one of the most important questions of my interview, as it allowed the interviewees to express some of the cultural stereotypes and misunderstanding they have experienced. Regarding this question, my first interviewee stated she does not experience stereotyping regarding her culture too often.

In today’s mainstream society, the media creates various of negative thoughts and stereotypes in different forms. These forms include class, gender, and sexuality. Day by day images or videos go viral creating these negative issues spreading like wildfire throughout the web. For instance, if an image or meme is created and posted online of someone who is identifies themselves as something other than straight, or someone from a low-class people go and share these images just for their entertainment. Instead of society, trying to eliminate this type of media they are promoting it. It is quite rare when someone stands up for someone who is being negatively affected by this. A website named AAUW with their motto being “Empowering women since 1881”. There motto there is quite strong it gives a short description what they are about. An article composed by AAUW named “Why Stereotypes Are Bad and What You Can Do about Them” is a strong article that explains what are stereotypes, why should we care about stereotypes and biases, and what we can do to combat stereotypes and bias. Articles and website like this should be shared more thought out society in order to put an end to gender stereotypes.

The workplace and its employees are crucial to the population and should treated as such. With 60% of the American population employed (United States' Bureau of Labor Statistics, 2017), businesses have a great effect on the country economically and socially. Employment provides people with the means to buy and participant in the economy. Additionally, people strongly center their self-concept around their occupation. For example, Child care workers and teachers define themselves as smart or caring, and painters define themselves as creative. Because the workplace has such a heavy influence on society it is important the workplace is heavily structured and monitored for equality and productiveness.

The 21st century has been characterized by a workforce that has three generations, the baby boomers, the generation X and the millennial. As the baby boomers and the Generation X gradually bow out of the workforce, the millennial is increasingly joining the workforce at all levels including the leadership levels. However, the entry of the millennial who are technology natives having grown up in a technology society is causing a stir in the workplace.

On a daily bases people make excuses for everything. Everything meaning our actions and the things that we say. Common things that we make excuse for deal with sexist, racist, and heterosexist comments. Sexist is classified as saying that one sex is better than the other. An example of this is someone calling a male or female something that they are not. I do not like this because we are all humans and deserve to be respected and not called something that is degrading. We all know that racist is downgrading one race compared to another. An example of this is, saying that all black people are loud and ghetto. We all act the same but some people do certain things different from others. That’s just there way of living. I do not think that just because one person acts one way the whole race does also. Heterosexist is defined as heterosexuality is better than all other expressions. An example of this would be talking about how a guy dresses and calling him gay. I do not agree with this as well because it is good to stand out and be your own person not matter how others see you.

Chimamanda Ngozi once said, “The problem with stereotypes is not that they are untrue, but that they are incomplete. They make one story become the only story.” (Stereotypes). Many stereotypes effect us. They can also have a negative effect and those affected by it can feel insecure because they may be judged or treated because of that certain stereotype. Stereotypes are labels that are unfairly placed on people, and they affect all of us.

I believe that John perceives his workplace as a casual, social environment and not a professional setting. John appears to have an extrovert personality that loves to talk and socialize. I believe he misconceives Regina’s polite greeting as her being interested in him. This is evident by him leaning on the cubicle wall when he stops to chat with Regina, although she is focusing on work. We also see John socializing with Brian at the end of the scenario. He is humoring Brian for his explanation of turning in work “ALAP” and fist-bumping him in solidarity. This is another example of how John does not take his work environment seriously. I also believe that John does not have much respect for his company and co-workers. John tries to

In today's world there are many prejudices towards society's standards and it affects people negatively especially women. Being attractive can get you anywhere. Having good looks and a nice body gets you places most of the time. It is harsh but it is the truth. A social experiment has actually found that to be true.

I am an accountant at a small business. However, my co-workers do not know my beliefs or my activities outside of work. I keep this to myself so that I can have a peaceful work environment because my office is filled with nothing but liberals that are going to hell. I am also involved in the hiring process so when we have Jews or fags interview, I fail them on every question. I do not want any fags or Jews anywhere near me and they can go elsewhere to find work. Since no one knows about my beliefs, I am free to discriminate against Jews and gays and I can blame their answers for why I did not hire them (Weichselbaumer, 2003). I tell these stories to my friends at church and we always have a good laugh.

Stereotypes in the workplace will always happen but in order to be a great practitioner working with children it is essential you see every child as an individual.

I can barely hear myself think over the constant roaring of the student body as we pile into the lunchroom. I take a glance around the room as I make my way towards a table in the back, seeing everyone else make their way towards their usual tables as well. As cliché as it seems, most people sit with those who are like them – the popular girls sit together and talk about homecoming or boys, the football players sit side by side talking about their upcoming game, and the band kids huddle around their sheet music, using their lunch break as practice.

Stereotype threats are negative consequences about one’s race, sex, nationality, or social group. Stereotype threats are used a lot more frequently than people realize. Gender is a powerful stereotype that affects many people’s decisions and actions. The stereotype of women in the workplace has come a long way even in the last twenty years. Many businesses tend to want to diversify their demographics by making the ratio of men to women almost equal. “Demographic projections anticipate that by the year 2000 women will exceed 50 per cent of the total workforce…” (Johnston and Packer, 1987). Women were able to make their way in to the workplace when men were off at war during the 1950s. During this time, women proved their ability to do the same kind of jobs men did. Many women worked as machinist, factory workers, and clergies.

Stereotypes are a part of everyday life. They help us differentiate and categorize to make quick decision on a person's character; however, stereotyping can be misleading or incorrect resulting in false judgment and mistreatment. In the workplace, this can show to be especially heinous. Stereotyping is a preconceived notion that all members of a group are the same, and behave in the same way. This act of judging others based on perception can cause many problems; especially when linked to the work environment.