Available Microlessons

These short learning and message lessons can be sent out to reinforce key lessons and as quick responses to issues that arise. Each features a video scenario, lesson points and polling questions.

• Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities (AODA) — A summary of the rights and expectations to provide accessibility to people in Ontario with disabilities. (5 min) *Note: This lesson is available upon request, and must be configured with both an Accessibility Policy and an Accessibility Plan
• Antitrust and Colluding with Competitors — Competition laws can be very strict when it comes to competitors entering agreements where they set prices, the quantity of goods sold, or the quality of available goods. Know how to spot these schemes and respond in a polite, professional, and smart way. (3 min)
• Bias Against Asians — The pandemic has caused an uptick in bias and hate crimes against our Asian communities. It's up to all of us to go from bystander to upstander and allies for our Asian co-workers. (4 min)
• Bias and Belonging — A microlesson about addressing unconscious bias by building belonging in a healthcare setting. (3 min)
• Black Health and Wellness — This lesson explore's Black History Month's 2022 theme of Black Health and Wellness, celebrating the historic achievements and contributions of Black Americans as well as shedding light on racial health disparities in our nation today. (5 min)
• Black History Month — An overview of Black History Month, its history, and its importance and relevance to our social fabric. This lesson will also introduce this year's Black History Month theme to learners, as a precursor to a deeper dive later in the month. (4 min)
• Black Lives Matter — The tragic death of George Floyd has impacted every member of our work community - but it hasn't impacted everyone the same way. This lesson asks learners to reflect on how and why this is so - and what each of us can do to move forward together. (4 min)
• Black Resistance — This lesson covers the theme for this year's Black History Month, Black Resistance, and explores how Black Americans have resisted historic and ongoing oppression — in all forms — since the nation's earliest days. (3 min)
• Blindspots and Inappropriate Behavior — This lesson in our Workplace Color Spectrum Series shows people how to use the Workplace Color Spectrum to get orange conduct back on track. (3 min)
• Bribery and Expense Reports — Bribery laws include provisions that require people and companies to keep accurate records of their expenses and expenditures overseas. Violating one of these "books and records" provisions can send you to jail, even if you never actually bribed anyone. (3 min)
• Celebrating National Hispanic Heritage — A microlesson to celebrate Hispanic Heritage month and demonstrate appreciation for the differences we all bring to our teams. Also, a reminder that we should all strive to be our authentic selves and avoid code-switching if at all possible. (3 min)
• Coming Out at Work — As social values and norms change, more and more people are coming out. But not all people are ready to come out, especially at work. How can we make our workplaces more inclusive to our LGBTQIA+ co-workers, regardless of whether they are out or not? (5 min)
• Conducting Inclusive Team Meetings — Unconscious bias can impact how meetings are run, how everyone participates in them, and who gets heard and valued. Meeting rules that create space for multiple voices to be heard lead to better decisions. (4 min)
• COVID-19 and Returning to Work — As organizations reopen facilities and bring co-workers back together, empathy, candor and respect are more important than ever. That's because we all come back together with different experiences, concerns and goals. Being candid and have empathy is the best way to come together and move forward. (3 min)
• Creating a Trans-Inclusive Workplace — Trans people have one of the highest rates of unemployment in the U.S. It is time for that statistic to change. Learn how to mitigate unconscious bias and what steps you can take to make your workplace trans-inclusive. (5 min)
• Creating More Respectful Interactions — This lesson in our Workplace Color Spectrum Series shows people how to use the Workplace Color Spectrum to de-escalate yellow conduct. (3 min)
• Different Languages in the Workplace — Are co-workers allowed to speak languages other than English? And what is this really all about? (2 min)
• Effective Email Communication — With more people working from home than ever, email and other kinds of electronic communication formats are more important than ever. You can upgrade the effectiveness of your email communications by being intentional and using a few small tweaks. (3 min)
• Effective Use of Team Chat Apps — In today's work environment, chat apps are a key way teams can keep connected and productive. But - as with all kinds of work communications - you can get the most of out chat apps by being empathetic and intentional. The key is to communicate in a way that works for both sides of the conversation. (3 min)
• Emotional Intelligence at Work — Using emotional intelligence helps everyone make better decisions and take positive actions. These are key elements to a healthy workplace culture. (3 min)
• Empathy at Work — A healthcare microlesson about showing empathy to a rude patient and exhibiting allyship so the patient adjusts their attitude and behavior. (3 min)
• Encouraging Employees to Speak Up — A lesson that models how employees should encourage co-workers to speak up when they have a concern or they experience a problematic situation. (4 min)
• Establishing Healthy Norms of Behavior — Everyone wants a healthy workplace - but what does that mean? We're all human, so a healthy workplace isn't perfect and doesn't mean nobody will ever misstep. But being able to give and receive feedback is a key skill that can help us build a work culture that works for everyone. (2 min)
• Gifts and Conflicts of Interest — Small business gifts have been around for a long time, but sometimes vendors go big. The intentions may be good, and the gift may still be inappropriate. We'll explain how and when to graciously say, "Thank you, but I can't ... " (4 min)
• Health Information Privacy Rights — Teach employees about both their own health information privacy and that of their coworkers. We provide examples of a culture snafu where someone's privacy is not respected, and offer guidance on how to avoid such situations. Built in survey questions will gauge employee sentiment around coworkers' understanding of privacy rights at work. (2 min)
• Inclusion in the Hybrid Workplace — As people start returning to the office, we will increasingly have a hybrid workplace.  Hybrid workplaces will be very supportive for employees but they also introduce the potential of exclusion and employee inequities. (4 min)
• Inclusive Recruiting and 'Culture Fit' — Culture fit can be an important criteria for hiring - or a red herring. What culture fit actually means - and why it matters. (3 min)
• Information Security and Human Error — Everyone has a role to play in keep our workplace and information about our operations, clients and customers secure. Your choices matter. (2 min)
• Leading with Curiosity, Not Assumptions — A microlesson about minimizing bias in healthcare. (3 min)
• Managing Contingent Workers — General guidelines to managing contingent workers legally and effectively. (5)
• Managing Our Frustrations — This lesson in our Workplace Color Spectrum Series shows people how to use the Workplace Color Spectrum to give feedback on yellow conduct. (6 min)
• Minimizing Gossip at Work — Employees vent and gossip after receiving an assignment and news that a co-worker struggling with a mental health challenge will be out of the office. This kind of conduct can cross the line and violate our policies and the law. (4 min)
• Navigating Bias Without Conflict — A microlesson about managing bias, composure as a part of empathy, and the need for allyship in a healthcare setting. (3 min)
• Navigating Harassment from Clients — When managers learn that an employee is being harassed, their first instinct is to get their person out of the situation. That's critical - but a manager's thoughts and actions can't stop there. A remedy needs to be found that won't disadvantage the victim of inappropriate conduct. (4 min)
• Navigating Generational Differences — Workplace Harassment typically occurs when employee conflict goes from simply emotionally reactive and "yellow" conduct to referencing a personal and protected characteristic, making it "orange" conduct. The key is to call it out in the moment to get everyone back on track. (4 min)
• Politics: Pause Before You Post - To inform employees that their social media posts can have real consequences. It explains what it means to be a brand ambassador, and offers insights into how social media can negatively impact your business. Teach employees how to recognize when they are letting emotions take the reins and avoid social snafus. (2 min)
• Potential Conflicts With Nepotism — A friend or family member could be a good fit for a position at your company. How do you support them without having your loyalties called into question? Learn to navigate these situations so that everyone gets a fair shake. (3 min)
• Power Implications and Building an Inclusive Workplace — In any organization, some people are managers and some people are workers. Sometimes, that difference in power leads to harassment situations when that power is used to coerce or punish someone. But it can also impact how words and actions are perceived - and acted upon. (4 min)
• Power Implications and Manager's Off-Duty Conduct — By definition, the title of manager comes with authority. Sometimes managers forget that "they're the boss" - but employees rarely do. That makes it hard for employees to say "no" to a manager - even in casual situations. (2 min)
• Respecting Different Employee Values — Sometimes people say or do something on purpose - to send a message that someone isn't welcome. But there are other situations that people kind of wander into. Almost by accident. And while the conduct isn't intentional, the impact can be just as bad. (3 min)
• Responding to an Active Shooter — Our organization takes our safety seriously. While an active shooter situation is very unlikely to ever happen, it's best to know how to respond. (2 min)
• Responding to a Tricky Harassment Situation (in Recruitment) — As a manager, you're a leader. Your team will look to what you say - and what you do. And the message you send through your conduct is often the most powerful. (4 min)
• Return to Work Policy and Procedures — As employers begin to reopen their offices and facilities, they need to build confidence and ensure safety by ensuring that everyone understands new post-coronavirus safety protocols. This lesson gives learners information about your new protocols and includes safety policies acknowledgment. (3 min) *Note: This lesson must be configured with a COVID-19 Policy.
• Shifting Our Mental Images of Women in the Workplace — This lesson reviews the mental images we hold regarding gender and gender roles. As women break through barriers in fields that have historically been male-dominated, they create new images that open the door to other women. (4 min)
• Social Intelligence as a Work Skill — Everyone is human and most people eventually say or do something that's unintentionally offensive or inappropriate at work. The key is to develop your own self-awareness so that you realize when your comments are having an unintended impact. And everyone needs to give a friend a little constructive feedback. (3 min) 
• Social Media Drama at Work - To remind employees that their viewpoints on social media can affect their relationships at work. An inflammatory post about a social justice movement can quickly turn into a workplace dispute. This micro lesson does not tell you what you can and cannot say on social media. It is a lesson in mindfulness, and a reminder that words have consequences. (2 min)
• Social Media Harassment — If a co-worker's conduct after-hours feels inappropriate, that's not just a personal problem. It's a work problem, too. This includes online activities, too, like texting and commenting on social media. Here's what to do if a co-worker crosses a line. (3 min)
• Supporting a Neurodiverse Workplace — Between 30 to 40% of the population is thought to be neurodivergent and managers need guidance on how best to support neurodiverse employees so they can be successful. (5 min)
• Unconscious Bias Refresher — A microlesson refresher about unconscious bias. (5 min) 
• Uplifting LGBTQIA+ Voices — Our LGBTQIA+ community deserves our allyship and support throughout the year, not just during June Pride Month. This lesson includes video submissions from our LGBTQIA+ community because becoming a better ally starts with listening to LGBTQIA+ people about their experiences. (6 min)
• Using Proper Pronouns — The subject of gender identity, including transgender and non-binary identities is evolving and may be new to some people. But the basics of respect for human dignity are the same and they go both ways. Respect for different gender identities and respect for people who are learning and trying to understand. (5 min)
• Valuing Differences and Being an Ally — A microlesson about valuing differences, bias, and allyship in a healthcare setting. (2 min)
• Video Meeting Best Practices — Many of us are new to video conferencing - or new to participating in them from home. Video conferencing comes with its own set of do's and don'ts. Recognizing them will help connect us. Ignoring them may inadvertently send the wrong message. (2 min)
• When Workplace Jokes Go 'Orange' And Over the Line — Having fun with co-workers makes the workday go faster. But sometimes a joke goes too far, potentially violating policies of inclusion and respect, or counting as harassment. (4 min)