“Civility” at Work: Who Gets to Be Heard and Who Gets Silenced?

Not the dictionary definition, but the HR-speak, DEI-backlash, power-sanitized version that’s been making the rounds lately. In many workplaces, calls for “civility” are framed as a way to encourage respect and professionalism, but who gets to define what “civil” looks like? And who ends up being silenced in the process?

This webinar will unpack how “civility” can be used to mask tone policing and uphold dominant norms around communication, emotion, and authority. We’ll explore:

• Why certain tones, expressions, or emotions are deemed “unprofessional”

• How identity and power shape who gets to speak, and how

• How calls for “respect” can unintentionally reinforce bias

• What it takes to build a workplace culture rooted in true civility, where honesty, discomfort, and mutual respect can coexist

We’ll move beyond buzzwords and backlash to explore practical ways to support authentic, respectful conversations for everyone, while mitigating bias and reinforcing equity along the way.