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Bias & stereotypes explained

Implicit bias (also known as "unconscious bias") is a personal association about a person or group of people that impacts those around us. Implicit bias creates barriers to inclusion, performance, engagement, and innovation. Becoming aware of different biases and learning skills and strategies to counteract them can mitigate their impact on building inclusive workplaces.

Leaders can disrupt bias

Leaders play a vital role in recognizing implicit biases as obstacles to building inclusive workplaces. Through awareness, self-reflection, curiosity, allyship, and role-modeling, leaders can mitigate the impact of implicit bias on fair and equitable decision-making in organizations. Leaders have the unique opportunity to recognize and tackle how implicit bias shapes organizations and individual employees.

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Bias is pervasive

  • 88%

    of White people had a pro-White or anti-Black implicit bias, according to thousands of bias tests.

  • 48%

    of Black people showed a pro-White or anti-Black bias in the same tests.

  • Infographic

    What are implicit associations?

    We all have implicit associations (also referred to as implicit bias or unconscious bias). Learn more about how they work and how you can overcome them.

  • Infographic

    Breaking down gender stereotypes that harm men at work

    Explore how workplace masculine stereotypes affect men's wellbeing and retention, and learn how organizations can break down these barriers for better inclusion.

  • Podcast

    Episode 106: From taboo to topical: Menopause in the workplace

    Janet Ko from the Menopause Foundation of Canada busts myths about menopause and flips the workplace taboo on its head.

  • Article

    Fix systems, not women: 5 takeaways from Catalyst Honours

    Canada’s premier gender equity and DEI conference inspired attendees with success stories and actionable advice

  • Report

    How to reduce hostile, sexist behavior in frontline workplaces

    Catalyst research shows that frontline employees experience high rates of hostile, sexist behavior. Here's how to improve work environments.

  • Video

    Catalyst Spills the Tea on Microfeminism

    Enjoy the inaugural episode of Catalyst Spills the Tea, a video series where we spill the tea on the trend, "lazy girl jobs."

  • Podcast

    Episode 102: It’s not all doom & gloom: State of DEI

    Ruchika Tulshyan, expert, speaker and author on DEI and founder and CEO of Candour to discuss her predictions for our work this year and beyond.

  • Guide

    Use AI to attract a more diverse candidate pool

    Using AI to create more equitable entry points opens the door to a much broader candidate pool.

  • Tool

    Make equitable hiring decisions with structured interviews

    These recommendations on how to prepare for, and conduct, structured interviews may assist in reducing bias in recruitment.

  • Infographic

    The double-bind dilemma for women in leadership

    Gender stereotypes and the “think leader, think male” mindset create a no-win situation for women leaders.

  • Practice

    Sephora DE&I Heart Journey

    The year after Sephora debuted its 2019 manifesto, the North American prestige beauty retailer launched its Sephora DE&I Heart Journey.

  • Infographic

    Break the Cycle – Eliminating gender bias in talent management systems

    Managers: Learn how to ensure you are giving equal access to “hot jobs” by downloading this Supporter-only tool.

  • Tool

    Eliminate gender bias from the recruitment process: HR experts

    HR Experts: Learn more about how to revamp your current methods by downloading this Supporter-only tool.