Upstander

Berkeley Lab’s IDEA strategy aims to unlock potential and innovation, and create a culture of welcoming and belonging within our teams. Part of this strategy is to understand the research on team psychological safety, and how the findings can benefit the Lab as “the home of Team Science.” Psychological safety is the shared belief that the team is safe for interpersonal risk-taking. This type of safety affects our ability to fully contribute as a valued team member, and impacts engagement, retention, and morale. Furthermore, the ways in which implicit biases and microaggressions show up in the workplace can also affect the team's level of psychological safety and trust.

In promoting the "A" in IDEA for accountability, we are encouraging Berkeley Lab colleagues to learn more about becoming an "Upstander." An Upstander is someone with integrity and courage who recognizes when something is wrong, acts to make it right, and hopefully prevents it from happening again. Review the resources below to learn how to help build an Upstander culture, hold colleagues to professional conduct, and develop the skills needed to speak up when fellow employees need an ally. Situations requiring an Upstander can range within a spectrum, e.g., from one-off comments reflecting an unconscious bias, to deliberate or indeliberate microaggressions, or even something as severe as bullying or harassment.

Through active listening and standing up for ourselves and others when needed, colleagues can learn the skills to help create a happier, healthier laboratory. Acts of respectful intervention, civility, and setting a good example with our own behaviors can begin to move the needle on creating a positive workplace culture.