UNMC employees and students are embracing the “Ouch! That Stereotype Hurts” tool that improves skills for speaking up against harmful attitudes and biased statements, said Linda Cunningham, division director, Employee Relations, Organizational Development & Diversity.
Since January, more than 400 employees and students have attended “Ouch!” training sessions. In addition, 25 employees from UNMC, the University of Nebraska at Omaha, the University of Nebraska-Lincoln and central administration have completed the two-hour “Ouch!” Train the Trainer workshop and are able to facilitate sessions for their own departments or colleges.
To continue building campus capacity for “Ouch!” facilitators, the UNMC Department of Human Resources will hold an additional “Ouch! That Stereotype Hurts” Train the Trainer workshop on April 24 from 9-11 a.m. in the Maurer Center for Public Health, Room 3009.
“Ouch! That Stereotype Hurts” is based on the book by Leslie Aguilar. The goal of “Ouch!” is to help leaders, employees and students:
- Understand the impact that stereotypes and biased statements have on those around them, even when casually said;
- Identify the most common reasons people sit silent in the face of bias and stereotypes; and
- Practice and enhance skills for speaking up without blame or guilt.
The train the trainer workshop is intended to increase each participant’s ability to effectively present the Ouch! That Stereotype Hurts content.
The session will allow participants to gain knowledge, skills and resources through video and interactive discussions that prepare them to tailor Ouch! sessions for their teams, Cunningham said.
Employees interested in attending the Ouch! train the trainer session on April 24 can contact Michelle Coe at 402-559-5827 to register for the workshop.