Neighbor News
Why Code-Switching Can Be Harmful in the Workplace
What is code-switching and how can it negatively affect workplace culture?
By Sanjida Meem
How we interact with our friends and family may be quite different from how we interact in a professional setting. For many underrepresented groups, developing a different persona at work has become normalized and it is sometimes expected by certain organizations. Code-switching is when people of color (POC), and other minorities, either consciously or unconsciously change their behaviors such as speech, dress, and mannerisms to conform to the dominant culture in their work environment.