Small Groups; 5-6 participants 

Instructions: 

  • Identify a moderator, and participants A, B and possibly C. 

  • Moderator reads the italicized notes. 

  • Other participants read their lines. 

  • Practise an immediate response (as instructed by the moderator notes). 

  • Practise calling-in  (as instructed by the moderator notes). 

  • Identify a spokesperson to share with the larger group.

Scenario 1

Moderator: During a company event, participants write their names and preferred pronouns on their nametags. You witness an interaction between two colleagues.

A: Hi Sam, I noticed your nametag says, “Rainbow” as your pronoun?

B: Oh, I just put that there because I think all this pronoun stuff is a bit over the top. I'm just Sam.

A: Really?

B: I just don't want to make a big deal about it.

Moderator: Consider and demonstrate your immediate response (specifically in supporting  Colleague A in the moment). And how you might “call-in” B, presumably in private.

Scenario 2

Moderator: You are on the planning committee for an upcoming departmental conference, and you are discussing venues downtown. (You are person C in this scenario.)

A: I do like that venue, but construction around the area is making it difficult for people with mobility challenges to enter the building. I don’t even know where the building ramps are.

Plus, it’s so loud. I don’t know if I’d be able to focus with my conditi– (stops talking as A notices B scrunching their nose, looking ready to disagree.)

B: Yeah, but it’s the best venue. And I don’t know of a single person who uses a wheelchair in this whole department! Anyways, it shouldn’t be that hard to focus, it’s just a little noise, people can get past that, right, C?

Moderator: Colleague A has previously disclosed to you that they have ADHD. You also know of one colleague who is a wheelchair user. Consider and demonstrate your immediate response (specifically in supporting Colleague A in the moment). And how you might “call-in” B, presumably in private outside of the meeting.

Scenario 3

Moderator: During a small group in-person meeting about building accessibility and inclusive initiatives at WorkSafeBC, you witness the following exchange:

A: I know we’re at the end of our meeting, but can we spend more time at the next one to discuss how we might make our washrooms more inclusive to gender-diverse people?

B: I don’t mean to make this about me. I get that we’re trying to be inclusive and all, but this completely goes against my religious beliefs.

A: Really? Are you saying that gender-diversity has something to do with your faith?

B: It’s not something I can ever support. I feel like all these PRIDE initiatives are neglecting to accommodate the diversity of MY religious beliefs. Plus, isn’t having a trans person using my restroom a threat to my safety?

Moderator: Consider and demonstrate your immediate response and how you might “call-in” B as either Participant A or as another participant in the meeting.

Scenario 4

Moderator: You are a man on-site with B, your new manager, who is a woman. She  is about to conduct a safety inspection.The two of you approach A, the foreperson on-site, who is a man.  

A: (Looking at you, ignoring B) Give me a minute to wrap up here, and then we can go through the inspection.

B: (Interjecting) Hi, I’m the one who signs off on this inspection

A: Oh, don’t worry about it, hon. We’ll take care of the real work.
Moderator: Consider and demonstrate your immediate response (specifically in supporting colleague B in the moment). And how you might talk to A, presumably in private.

Scenario 5

Moderator: You’re in an online meeting between a manager, and several colleagues, one of whom is Black.

A: Just curious, do any of you know if WorkSafeBC has any new plans to specifically support safety standards for Black and Indigenous communities in BC?

B: God. Isn’t it favouritism to just help out those specific communities? The pandemic didn’t just hit Black and Indigenous people; white people are affected as well. I know everyone’s saying “Black lives matter” but shouldn’t all lives matter?

Moderator: Consider and demonstrate hope you might respond in the moment, as either Colleague A or as another team member. How might you  “call-in” B, presumably in private outside of the meeting. 


If you’d like to read more on how the phrase “all lives matters” is harmful, see: https://www.elle.com/uk/life-and-culture/culture/a32800835/all-lives-matter-fake-equality/


Scenario 6

Moderator: Your manager wants to address diversity in the workplace, and notes that National Day for Truth and Reconciliation is coming up. When the topic emerges during team meetings, your manager tends to look at your colleague, Jacy, the only individual who identifies as an Indigenous person on your team. Jacy is from Portland. 

A (Manager): So, in the spirit of diversity, the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation is coming up. I’d really like for us to do something, more than just wearing orange shirts. 
Does anyone have any ideas? (Looking directly at Jacy)

Moderator: Jacy shifts uncomfortably and averts the gaze of the team.

Consider and demonstrate hope you might respond in the moment or later. How might you “call-in” your manager, presumably in private outside of the meeting.