Sensitivity, communication key to respectful work environment

  • Published
  • By Meredith March
  • 66th Air Base Wing Public Affairs
HANSCOM AFB, Mass. --  In keeping with Federal, Defense Department and Air Force policies, every Hanscom employee - military, civilian and contractor - has the right to enjoy a work environment "free from any form of unlawful discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age or disability," according to a March 31 memo signed by Electronic Systems Center Commander Lt. Gen. Ted Bowlds. "The Air Force is committed to providing a work environment in which all people are treated with respect and dignity,"

Such a work environment is the result of collective commitment to respectful interactions with one another, the memo states. "It is everyone's responsibility to promote and maintain a work environment free from unlawful discrimination, harassment and reprisal. Equal opportunity and treatment is our standard and is central to our success."

Hanscom work environments are generally considered very respectful, said Dana Townsend, Equal Opportunity director. Occasionally, however, individuals will inadvertently offend colleagues by unintentionally using derogatory terms or slang.

"Sometimes when a term is used, even though it's not in a derogatory way, someone can take offense," Ms. Townsend said. "For example, without meaning to, an individual who doesn't know the offensive nature of a particular word can offend a person with cultural or ethnic history connected to that term."

Ms. Townsend acknowledged that while some inflammatory terms are widely known and can be easily avoided, it can be difficult to know what might offend others.

"We come from different backgrounds, so our frames of reference are also often different," she said. "We need to be cognizant of our own behaviors and ask ourselves if what we've said could be misunderstood because of differing backgrounds."

For those who already consider their words carefully, communication is the best way to avoid insulting others, Ms. Townsend said.

"The key is communication and not making assumptions. When we don't know if we've offended someone, we need to ask," she said. "We shouldn't be afraid to ask just because the other person is different. Often, people like being asked about their culture and helping others understand it. It's all about communication. We just have to ask people and not make assumptions that their beliefs are the same."

For more information call (781) 377-0231 or email Dana.Townsend@hanscom.af.mil.