Lived Experiences of Exclusion in the Workplace

They say that the first step in making a dream come true is to wake up. If we are ever to realise the dream of true inclusion, we must first be honest about the range of levels of exclusion that exist today. Reading this book is a starting point. With both science and stories, it thoughtfully opened my eyes to the challenges to inclusion, made me feel seen and heard in my own exclusion experiences, and provided useful approaches for leaders to be more ‘human’ at work. It’s an inspiring read.

-- Lisa Bodell

It is a practical and a ‘must read’ book for everyone in the workplace. It can help individuals, especially current and aspiring leaders, to understand, recognise, and stop exclusion, in order to create diverse and inclusive organisations, strengthen interpersonal relationships, and enhance leadership competencies.

-- Dr. Ying Zhou

Experiences of inclusion are key to enhancing the productivity and wellbeing of individuals and organisations. This book captures the many experiences of inclusion and exclusion among individuals with different identities. The critical research undertaken by April, Dharani and April advances our understanding of how organisational policies, legislation, and everyday manager and coworker interactions can promote a sense of inclusion among different individuals.

-- Prof. Eddy Ng

Kurt April, Babar Dharani and Amanda April ‘s new book, Lived Experiences of Exclusion in the Workplace: Psychological and Behavioral Effects, is expansive and honest, grounded both in extensive scholarship as well as the recognisable and personal voices of employee interviews across levels and organisations. By defining diversity so inclusively – going beyond explicitly protected classes -- they help us not only recognise, but also truly feel, the costs of exclusion and the values of inclusion– both personally and organisationally. And most usefully, they offer actionable remedies and pathways to inclusive leadership, and by doing so, inspire us to use them.

-- Prof. Mary C. Gentile

An important exploration into the factors and sub-factors that lead to exclusion, and all that it entails on the people that it impacts the most.

-- Simone Pound

This book provides a unique, holistic and at times confronting insight into the effects of exclusion through the lived experiences of respondents. The research is timely and provides a practical framework for courageous leaders, employees and organisations committed to fundamental and systemic change in the modern world of work.

-- Lawrence Cupido

This is an important book that highlights not only the greater need for inclusion due to the growing diversity in organisations, but also […] that the responsibility for inclusion lies with us all. Inclusion cannot be achieved by legislation alone but requires institutions, organisations, leaders and managers, as well as employees, to take responsibility.

-- Dr. Joana Vassilopoulou

Well done, Kurt, Barbar and Amanda, on your must-read book. At a time where [there is a] need to make working environments more inclusive and conscious, your book’s findings help inform that goal.

-- Dr. Abdelraheem Abualbasal

Inclusion wins and exclusion loses. Having worked myself in five different sectors and global companies, I value this book as an excellent and very realistic analysis of how exclusion can lead to dramatic underperformance in organisations. I also strongly believe that it is the role of senior organisational leaders to create a culture of inclusivity to yield gains in the four critical areas of innovation, productivity, profitability and talent. Written by authors with high credibility and based on personal experiences, I recommend it to everybody who is still doubtful about the negative consequences of exclusion at the workplace, or wants to improve their organisational culture.

-- Dr. Frank Waltman

This is a comprehensive book that promotes inclusive workplaces from the lens of exclusion and discrimination, with potential solutions for practitioners on leadership for inclusivity. I highly recommend this book to scholars, learners, and practitioners who aspire to create a more inclusive business and society.

-- Prof. Yuka Fujimoto

One of the most important books of our time for employers and employees, and those interested in advancing true inclusion in the workplace. This publication examines the roots and modern day causes of exclusion, with the objective of helping advance diversity, equality and inclusive leadership.

-- Jyoti Chopra

Lived Experiences of Exclusion in the Workplace: Psychological & Behavioural Effects by Kurt April, Babar Dharani and Amanda April is a tour de force. Its analysis of what causes exclusion – and its impacts – is unflinching. It draws on rigorous research and provides gripping examples. It then presents a new framework to address the many ways we exclude and are excluded. The inclusive leadership framework, based on seven constructs, provides practical and aspirational guidance for us to become more inclusive at work and beyond.

-- Dr. Ann Armstrong

Understanding that the need to belong is at the heart of human existence enhances our ability to consider the high cost of exclusion, both in personal and professional life. Yet, the manner in which these experiences are manifested in the workplace and the ways of dealing with them have yet to be fully explored. The book Lived Experiences of Exclusion in the Workplace: Psychological and Behavioural Effects analyses the various ways in which exclusionary and discriminatory experiences are manifested within the workplace based on race, ethnicity, appearance, gender, age, sexuality, language, dialect, political views and education. It explores the stories of research respondents who share their experiences of feeling excluded, alienated, marginalised and discriminated against, and probes into the psychological, behavioural and organisational effects of these experiences. It also discusses the means of addressing exclusion and discrimination in organisational environments through affirmative action, empowerment, and leadership skills. The book's strength and merit lie in its capacity to encompass a pressing social phenomenon in workplaces and to offer both a conceptual and a practical means of establishing working relationships based on human dignity and respect, while also demonstrating how historical and legal changes are manifested in the contemporary business environment.

-- Dr. Shlomit Aharoni Lir

There can never be enough books concerning exclusion at the workplace. We are experiencing a leadership crisis when it comes to meaningfully connecting to the workforce to understand its real needs, expectations and frustrations. This book comes in at a timely moment and will undoubtedly provide the work environment the missing link of sustainability.

-- Eddy M. Jolicoeur

This critical research has deftly provided a voice and agency to employees who feel adversely excluded and discriminated against in the workplace, encouraging leaders and organisations to actively facilitate dialogue, and intentionally respond to their recommendations for inclusionary practices. The study highlights that there is a compelling leadership and organisational mandate to cultivate workplaces characterised by inclusive cultures, in which all employees thrive and flourish.

-- Nkulu Madonko

This book brings deep insights and a thorough approach – based on rigorous research – that will help better remove obstacles to exclusion and provide opportunities to further promote inclusion from all levels of the organisation.

-- Antoine Tirard

The book provides a platform for timely discussion on the ‘lived experiences of exclusion’ in the workplace. Each of the chapters takes you through a journey that is rich with information and ways to move your thinking forward. It is evident that this book has been written with compassion, energy and drive, which permits the reader to be active and reflective with the content. The work is compelling and makes a significant contribution to our insights into the psychological and behavioural effects when excluded from the workplace. The book, therefore, has the potential to improve efforts to encourage more inclusive approaches to supporting the recruitment and advancement of those from less traditional backgrounds. April et al.’s book should be acquired by scholars who work in the area of social justice.

-- Dr. Victoria Showunmi

Lived Experiences of Exclusion in the Workplace: Psychological and Behavioural Effects is a well referenced guide for leaders, managers, and stakeholders of organisations to implement an inclusive leadership. Thanks to many examples from research respondents, the reader will have a greater understanding of various DEI notions, such as stereotypes, biases, exclusion, discrimination, emotional maturity, credibility, mental models, diversity policies, affirmative action, to name a few. This book is simply an eye-opener to consider diversity, equity and inclusion as an integral part of nowadays business and organisational life.

-- Stéphanie Simpson

Progress towards diversity and inclusiveness, to uphold the very principles of an individual basic (psychological) right of dignity, of equality, of respect and well-being is still being fought around the globe. This book is both timely and essential to help leaders, who have an outsized ability to influence their employees’ perceptions and experiences to truly make a difference in their organisation.

-- Ruslan Islahudin

Societal discourse on discrimination, exclusion or non-inclusiveness is shifting greatly over the past years, especially with a new generation of young people demanding more of leaders and institutions, communities and systems. Yet, true knowledge, true understanding and a non-institutional, but human-centred understanding of the experiences is still vague. The workplace is where people spend more time than anywhere else besides their homes, and identifying the dynamics that cut deep inside team and organisational structures are critical to either enable those who want to support change or respond with more precision to situations where change is opposed. In their book Lived Experiences of Exclusion in the Workplace, April, Dharani and April dive under the surface of the challenge and merge science with practical experience and application to paint an important outline of interpersonal and systematic threats to inclusive and safe workplaces. For organisational leaders, policymakers or activists, this provides an important perspective to shape their actions.

-- Jonas Baer-Hoffman

A clarion call – using powerful lived experiences to chart a much-needed path for greater inclusion in the world.

-- Paul Norman

This book is a must read for anyone interested in addressing exclusion in the workplace. The authors were very wise to address such a range of topics, ranging from sexuality to disabilities in the workplace as well. The book also points out the glaring inequities that the COVID-19 pandemic highlighted for many marginalised communities. This book is especially useful for undergraduate and graduate students studying Policy, Human Resources Management and Human Rights.

-- Prof. Richard Greggory Johnson III

This book is a must read for leaders who have a real desire to drive inclusion within organisations. It offers some incredibly powerful insights, supported by practical solutions and ideas to effect lasting change. An important work from real thought leaders.

-- Anthony Burnett

The ability to address our greatest, most urgent challenges, from the climate crisis to the threat of new pandemics, is undercut by the growing polarisation of people. If we are to address the faultlines in society, we must start by examining structural exclusion and its impacts in our communities. Lived Experiences of Exclusion in the Workplace is necessary reading for those working at environmental and social development organisations.

-- Jyot Ch