How to Address a Microaggression at Work in English
Learn the English phrases for addressing a microaggression calmly and clearly in the moment, and for following up afterward if needed.
Microaggressions are often subtle enough that saying nothing feels easier in the moment, but naming them calmly protects both you and the workplace culture. This guide gives you the English for addressing one directly, without escalating unnecessarily or letting it pass unaddressed.
Responding in the Moment
Name what happened calmly, without assuming bad intent up front.
- “I want to flag something — that comment landed in a way I don’t think you intended, and I’d like to talk about it.”
- “Can I share something? What you just said assumes [assumption], and that’s not accurate about me.”
- “I’m going to pause here for a second — that comment felt off to me, and I want to name it rather than let it slide.”
Asking for Clarification First
Give the other person room to explain, without letting the moment pass unaddressed.
- “What did you mean by that? I want to understand before I react.”
- “Help me understand the intent behind that comment — it came across in a way I don’t think you meant.”
- “I don’t think that’s how you meant it, but I want to check, because it landed differently than I think you intended.”
Explaining the Impact Clearly
State plainly why the comment or behavior was a problem.
- “When you said that, it implied [specific assumption], and that’s a pattern I’ve run into before — I’d rather address it directly than let it accumulate.”
- “That kind of comment, even said casually, reinforces an assumption that isn’t accurate and isn’t helpful here.”
- “I know it was probably said without thinking, but the effect is still that it singles me out in a way that isn’t okay.”
Setting an Expectation Going Forward
Be clear about what you’d like to happen differently.
- “I’d appreciate it if we could avoid comments like that going forward.”
- “I’m not looking for a big apology — I just want it to not happen again.”
- “Let’s just agree that kind of assumption doesn’t need to come up here.”
Escalating When It’s a Pattern
Raise it formally if it’s recurring or unaddressed after being named directly.
- “I’ve raised this directly once already, and it’s happened again — I want to bring this to HR/my manager rather than keep addressing it one-on-one.”
- “This isn’t a one-off — I want it documented, because I’ve noticed a pattern, not a single incident.”
- “I’d like to talk to you about a pattern of comments that’s made me uncomfortable, and I want to be clear this isn’t about one isolated moment.”
Vocabulary Reference
| Term | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Microaggression | A subtle, often unintentional comment or action that expresses a biased assumption |
| Land (a comment lands a certain way) | To be received or perceived in a particular way by the listener |
| Assumption | An idea taken to be true without direct evidence, often revealing bias |
| Pattern | A recurring behavior, as opposed to a single isolated instance |
| Documented | Formally recorded, often for HR or reporting purposes |
Key Takeaways
- Name a microaggression calmly and in the moment when possible, without assuming malicious intent right away.
- Ask what was meant before reacting — it opens space for clarification without letting the comment pass unaddressed.
- State the impact directly and specifically, even if the comment was likely unintentional.
- Be clear about the expectation going forward rather than leaving it ambiguous.
- Escalate to HR or a manager if it’s a recurring pattern rather than a one-off, and document it as such.