State Women's Commission presents survey showing high rates of workplace harms for Black women in public sector; tools to follow

Brittany Gregory, executive director of the Washington State Women's Commission, presented findings from the commission's "Black Women in the Public Sector" initiative and described planned tools for employees and employers.

"From our survey of 410 Black women across the state, 88 percent reported microaggressions and 75 percent cited mental‑health harm," Gregory said, summarizing responses gathered in February and March. She said 60 percent of respondents worked for the state and many were mid‑level managers; she described a majority reporting unequal standards, stereotyping and exclusion from decision‑making.

Gregory told the commission that respondents who brought complaints to HR rated the experience poorly (average 1.92 out of 5) and many feared retaliation or loss of anonymity if they reported mistreatment. "If they spoke out against racism, they would be blacklisted or receive further harm," she said, quoting open‑ended responses collected in the survey.

The commission described several next steps: drafting a "navigating your workplace" guide for employees that respondents can use to document concerns and options, and a manager self‑assessment and training package for employers to identify and improve workplace practices. Gregory said the commission has presented the work to the governor's office, the federal sub‑cabinet and expects to pilot tools with at least two agencies and two nonprofits. She said the full report is expected in June.

Commissioners welcomed the findings and offered assistance. Michael Bailey and other commissioners suggested sharing the materials with county HR offices and piloting trainings, and several offered to connect the commission with local HR and DEI leads.

Next steps: the commission will circulate draft tools for feedback and pursue pilot agreements with interested agencies and nonprofits. Gregory encouraged commissioners to refer potential pilot organizations and to send suggestions for groups who should be included in outreach.