Campaign Provides Virtual Backgrounds to Call Out Bias in the Workplace
NEW YORK, March 3, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Catalyst is observing International Women's Day (IWD) 2021 by challenging companies to join its BiasCorrect "Make the Invisible Visible" global campaign, providing virtual backgrounds that encourage courageous conversations about unconscious bias in meetings.
Catalyst research shows that invisible barriers for women in the workplace, particularly women of color, have proliferated in remote working during the pandemic:
- 1 in 5 women has felt ignored and overlooked by coworkers during virtual meetings;
- 45% of women business leaders say it's difficult for women to speak up in virtual meetings; and
- 1 in 5 working people has witnessed more discrimination at work since the outbreak of Covid-19.
Catalyst's Make the Invisible Visible campaign, created in collaboration with the Burns Group, allows individuals to select and download virtual backgrounds that ask challenging questions to spark important conversations on how to address these experiences of unconscious bias in the workplace:
- Have you ever felt judged when your child interrupted a meeting?
- Have you ever been talked over in a meeting?
- Have you ever been the "only" in the room?
- Have you ever been asked, "Where are you really from?"
- Have you ever had to check your authentic self at the door?
The virtual backgrounds are available in English, French, German, and Spanish.
This year's campaign builds on Catalyst's 2019 and 2020 IWD BiasCorrect campaign, which focused on the biased words used to describe women in the workplace, demonstrating that women and men with the same talents and skills often are described in very different ways, creating barriers that can adversely impact women's advancement.
"Make the Invisible Visible really showcases the experiences of bias women have in remote work during the Covid-19 crisis," said Lorraine Hariton, Catalyst President and CEO. "Unconscious bias is persistent, so we want to engage companies and their employees-including men as gender partners-to BiasCorrect and create more inclusive workplace cultures."
Catalyst invites individuals and companies to visit the BiasCorrect webpage on March 8, which provides resources for everyone to help understand, interrupt, and correct unconscious bias. Bank of America and The Guardian Life Insurance Company of America are sponsors for this campaign.
About Catalyst
Catalyst is a global nonprofit working with some of the world's most powerful CEOs and leading companies to help build workplaces that work for women. Founded in 1962, Catalyst drives change with pioneering research, practical tools, and proven solutions to accelerate and advance women into leadership-because progress for women is progress for everyone.
About Burns Group
Burns Group is a brand transformation company that bravely co-creates the future of brands, young and old. We bring bravery to established brands and experience to startups. To learn more, visit burnsgroupnyc.com
Media Contacts
Naomi R. Patton
Vice President, Global Communications
Catalyst
npatton@catalyst.org
Stephanie Wolf
US Communications Consultant
Catalyst
stephanie@stephaniewolfpr.com
Francine Beck
Canada Communications Consultant
Catalyst
francine@fbstrategiesgroup.com
Frances Knox
Europe Communications Consultant
Catalyst
frances@frankly-pr.co.uk
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