Harassment and Discrimination: Role of Bystanders

This engaging lab explores the challenges of workplace harassment and discrimination, emphasizing the pivotal role of bystanders in creating a respectful and inclusive environment. Students are introduced to Jasmine, a new graduate who observes subtle but harmful comments from a colleague, Alex, toward another team member, Priya. Jasmine faces a dilemma: should she intervene, report the behavior, or remain silent? Through this relatable scenario, students analyze the impact of harassment, the hesitation of bystanders, and the ethical choices involved in addressing workplace issues.

What This Lab Covers:

Students will learn to:

• Recognize harassment, discrimination, and inappropriate behavior in workplace scenarios.
• Understand the emotional and professional impact of such behaviors.
• Explore the ethical responsibilities of bystanders and how their actions (or inactions) can shape workplace culture.

Interactive Activities Include:

• Scenario Exploration: Students analyze Jasmine’s situation, identifying the subtle signs of harassment and its effects on Priya.
• Decision-Making Worksheet: Students evaluate Jasmine’s options—reporting, intervening, or staying silent—and consider the potential consequences of each choice.
• Identifying Behaviors Worksheet: Students categorize actions as harassment, discrimination, or inappropriate behavior, with explanations to reinforce their understanding.
• Star Rating Activity: Students assess the severity of workplace comments and actions, from harmless to clearly harmful, to recognize the varying impact of microaggressions.
• Writing Prompts: Students reflect on the role of bystanders, propose policies to prevent harassment, and consider how they would handle similar situations.

Why Teachers Love This Lab:

• Promotes critical thinking and empathy through real-world dilemmas.
• Encourages students to actively engage with ethical decision-making.
• Provides a structured yet flexible format with auto-graded and reflective activities.
• Perfectly aligns with workplace readiness, ethics, and social-emotional learning goals.

Empower your students to make a positive difference in their future workplaces by equipping them with the skills to address harassment and discrimination confidently and ethically.