Responding to racial injustice by listening and learning from employees
ISSN: 1366-5626
Article publication date: 15 June 2021
Issue publication date: 4 October 2021
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
:Emerald Publishing Limited
Copyright © 2021, Emerald Publishing Limited