Maria Arpa MBE welcomes Michelle Cox, a race equality consultant and fellow with the Royal College of Nursing, who shares her powerful journey of confronting racism within the NHS. Michelle recounts her experiences of discrimination and the bold decision to take her case to an Employment Tribunal, highlighting the challenges she faced in advocating for fairness and equity in the workplace. Through her story, she emphasizes the importance of speaking truth to power, the need for organizations to listen to their employees, and the profound impact of systemic racism. Michelle also discusses her current work, including her consultancy, activism, and the establishment of the Michelle Cox Anti-Racism Awards, all aimed at promoting anti-racism initiatives and supporting those who face discrimination in their careers. This episode serves as a poignant reminder of the ongoing struggle for equality and the courage it takes to challenge the status quo.

Key Takeaways

1. Importance of Advocacy: Taking a stand against discrimination and advocating for systemic change is crucial, especially for those in positions of influence. The decision to speak out can be driven by a sense of responsibility to represent and protect others who may not have the same platform.

2. Challenges of Mediation: Mediation can often be ineffective in cases involving power imbalances, particularly when it comes to discrimination. It is essential for organizations to recognize that mediation may not address the underlying issues and can sometimes exacerbate the situation.

3. Need for Support Systems: Being part of a union is vital for employees facing discrimination. Unions can provide necessary legal support and resources, which are crucial for navigating complex grievance processes and potential employment tribunals.

4. Listening and Understanding: Organizations must prioritize listening to their employees' concerns, especially regarding discrimination. A culture of open communication and understanding can prevent issues from escalating and foster a more inclusive workplace.

5. Long-term Impact of Discrimination: Experiencing discrimination can have lasting effects on an individual's mental health and well-being. The journey through grievance processes and tribunals can be traumatic, highlighting the need for organizations to address issues proactively and compassionately.

Related links

Website: https://mariaarpa.com/

Workplace Consultancy: https://workplacehuddle.com/

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@MariaArpaMBE

Michelles Website: https://www.michellecox1.co.uk 

Host BIO

Maria founded the Centre for Peaceful Solutions in response to the fatal shooting of a 7 year old in her neighbourhood. She developed a model of conflict resolution for violent crime using her brainchild, the Dialogue Road Map (DRM).  

Over 30 years she has mediated everything from threat to life gang disputes to high stakes business deals gone wrong, Maria empowers people to resolve conflict without reliance on experts. So she trains violent prisoners to be facilitators, leaders to be effective communicators, teenagers to be peer mediators and neighbours to be tenant listeners within their respective communities.

The DRM has applications in all aspects of life and is used for resolving conflict, repairing harm, decision making and healing at an individual and group level. It challenges people to live in harmony with their values. In 2020 Maria received an MBE from the Queen for services to mediation.

Learn More About Us: https://www.centreforpeacefulsolutions.org/