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Responding to racial injustice by listening and learning from employees

Denise M. Cumberland (College of Education and Human Development, University of Louisville, Louisville, Kentucky, USA)
Tyra G. Deckard (College of Education and Human Development, University of Louisville, Louisville, Kentucky, USA)
Andrea D. Ellinger (Soules College of Business, The University of Texas at Tyler, Tyler, Texas, USA)

Journal of Workplace Learning

ISSN: 1366-5626

Article publication date: 15 June 2021

Issue publication date: 4 October 2021

616

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to examine a unique application of mega-events theory in a US health-care organization. The organization hosted 50 virtual listening calls (LCs) in the summer of 2020 to understand and to hear their employees’ voices regarding their emotions about issues of racial injustice and to solicit their ideas for creating a more inclusive workplace.

Design/methodology/approach

This study used an illustrative, descriptive qualitative design. Using Saldaña’s (2015) structural coding approach, data from 388 employees who voluntarily participated in 50 virtual LCs were analyzed.

Findings

A total of eight themes with respective subthemes emerged regarding employees’ range of emotions and six themes emerged regarding employees’ specific suggestions for creating a more diverse and inclusive organization. This research suggests that hosting these open, virtual LCs enabled a space for employees to authentically voice their perspectives, learn from each other and afforded a powerful learning opportunity for organizational leaders to inform their diversity and inclusion practices.

Originality/value

This study represents a unique application of mega-events theory, focuses on pivotal events in the summer of 2020 that have been nationally and globally impactful and demonstrates the power of listening and learning to inform taking action in a health-care organization already constrained with the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic.

Keywords

Acknowledgements

The authors would like to extend their sincere thanks to ABC organization and its leaders and employees. They would also like to convey their gratitude to the editorial team and anonymous reviewers for their thoughtful feedback during the review process.

Citation

Cumberland, D.M., Deckard, T.G. and Ellinger, A.D. (2021), "Responding to racial injustice by listening and learning from employees", Journal of Workplace Learning, Vol. 33 No. 8, pp. 606-618. https://doi.org/10.1108/JWL-12-2020-0194

Publisher

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Emerald Publishing Limited

Copyright © 2021, Emerald Publishing Limited

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