Some workers say professionalism needs to include and appreciate all aspects of the employee, including their principles, values, traditions and heritage
Crystal McPhee remembers a time in the 1990s when she was preparing a young Black man with dreadlocks for an interview in sales. She worked in the staffing industry and her goal was to have him present in a professional manner to fit in and get the job.
The work culture of today is changing. People can be more authentic and creative with how they present themselves. T-shirts and ripped jeans at work, pyjama bottoms during Zoom meetings and natural Black hairstyles aren’t frowned upon anymore. But are changing standards around appearance enough when it comes to changing the definition of professionalism and truly making it an equalizing force?
“Make sure you talk a certain way, make sure you arrive on time otherwise there will be consequences. Make sure your hair is all done, no tattoos, suited up ready to go,” he says. “I believe those are grounded in white supremacist ideals. And obviously, that leaves no room for Black people to express ourselves.”
She believes professionalism is a problem for everyone because it punishes the most marginalized in the workplace: women and people of colour. “The people who get away with things I feel are unprofessional are always white people and mostly white men. Basically, that white guy is given more grace than me,” she says. “I don’t know how to actually help people understand how their behaviour is contributing to nothing changing without [them] feeling under attack.”
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