Through facial expression, an employee in a group of three displays displeasure about a comment one of the other employees made. A group of employees engages in conversation while gathered around a laptop computer.

Microaggressions

Inappropriate conduct also includes “microaggressions”. Microaggressions are the everyday verbal, nonverbal, and environmental slights, snubs, or insults, whether intentional or unintentional, which communicate hostile, derogatory, or negative messages to people based solely upon them being a member of a marginalized group.

Marginalized groups include people of color; women; senior citizens; veterans; LGBTQ persons; hearing, visually, and physically challenged persons; people living in poverty; religious minorities; and others.