House members and staff receive training on discrimination prevention, microaggressions and workplace civility

Sharla Stevens, a labor and employment attorney, and Sam O'Neil, a human resources executive and consultant, led a training for House members and staff on preventing discrimination and fostering workplace civility at the State House.

Stevens and O'Neil outlined definitions of diversity, equity and inclusion, described common forms of workplace discrimination and microaggressions, and explained where complaints should be reported under House policy. Stevens described recent trends in federal enforcement and urged participants to reduce retaliation risk, while O'Neil emphasized building psychological safety and practical steps employees and legislators can take to de-escalate or report problem behavior.

The training began with definitions. Stevens cited a broad definition of diversity that includes "psychological, physical, and social differences" and said equity means "guarantee of fair treatment, access, and opportunity," distinct from equality.…