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betterallies.bsky.social
Better Allies
@betterallies.bsky.social
680 followers 120 following 360 posts
Influencing how workplaces become better, one ally at a time. Posts by Karen Catlin, author of Better Allies® books & the 5 Ally Actions newsletter

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betterallies.bsky.social
Better Allies @betterallies.bsky.social · Jan 29
DEI activities still legal in the USA:

Endorsing coworkers.
Amplifying voices in meetings.
Acknowledging ideas.
Using inclusive language.
Sharing unwritten rules.
Diversifying networks.
Structured interviewing.
Pay equity reviews.
Workplace accommodations.
Learning to pronounce names.
betterallies.bsky.social
lol - I had to use ChatGPT to find out if this comment on my YouTube short was a compliment (or not):

"HAHAAAA YOU ATE THIS"

Good news: it means my performance and/or content was impressive or amazing. Phew.

www.youtube.com/shorts/tPz89...
More Inclusive Alternatives to "Quiet Piggy" #Shorts #BetterAllies
YouTube video by Better Allies
www.youtube.com
November 19, 2025 at 4:08 PM
betterallies.bsky.social
While some people might be tempted to say “Quiet Piggy” to someone who’s talking more than everyone else, there are many more inclusive and effective ways to get your message across.

Eg, “Let’s hear from folks who haven’t yet had a chance to ask a question.”
November 18, 2025 at 10:32 PM
betterallies.bsky.social
A study by Dove & LinkedIn found Black women’s hair is 2.5x more likely to be perceived as unprofessional. 20% of Black women have been sent home from work because of their hair.

As #BetterAllies, we can interrupt this bias.
Graphic with the message If someone says a black woman has unprofessional hair, I’ll speak up and ask, “Is this about job performance? How does their hairstyle affect their work?” There’s also a drawing of a person with dark skin sitting at a desk with a large computer monitor, raising their hand as if to ask a question. Along the bottom is the @BetterAllies handle and credit to @ninalimpi for the drawing.
November 18, 2025 at 6:49 PM
betterallies.bsky.social
“How do I know what I think until I see what I say?”
― E.M. Forster

Same!

(I heard about this quote on an @adamgrant.bsky.social podcast interview with Suleika Jaouad, which was delightful.)
November 17, 2025 at 11:38 PM
betterallies.bsky.social
If you notice a Black person being judged because their hair, speak up and suggest changing the feedback to instead focus on the impact they’re having on your organization’s priorities and goals.

Because 👇
Infographic titled ‘CROWN 2023 Workplace Research Study’ by Dove and LinkedIn, showing that Black women’s hair is 2.5 times more likely to be perceived as unprofessional. It reports that two-thirds of Black women change their hair for a job interview, and 54% feel they need to straighten their hair to succeed. The graphic also shows that Black women with coily or textured hair are twice as likely to experience microaggressions at work, over 20% of Black women aged 25-34 have been sent home because of their hair, 44% of Black women under 34 feel pressured to have straight hair, and 25% believe they’ve been denied a job interview because of their hair. A crown icon underscores that no one should feel they must change their hair to access opportunities.
November 17, 2025 at 7:44 PM
betterallies.bsky.social
I’ve been building my “baby” YouTube channel with practical tips to create better workplaces. I’m at 69 subscribers (nice) & hoping to reach 1,000 so the channel can start earning ad revenue.

I’d be grateful if you subscribed.

Thank you for cheering on this project! youtube.com/@BetterAllies
Better Allies
Influencing how workplaces become better, one ally at a time Posts by Karen Catlin, author of Better Allies® books and the 5 Ally Actions weekly newsletter
youtube.com
November 17, 2025 at 7:26 PM
betterallies.bsky.social
I’m (happily) overwhelmed by the messages I received about my latest newsletter. “Terrific points this week." "Great advice." And some smile-evoking ❤️ reactions from Outlook users.

Join me in creating better workplaces with the Better Allies approach👇

mailchi.mp/e90c01d2298a...
5 Ally Actions - Nov 14, 2025
mailchi.mp
November 16, 2025 at 9:29 PM
betterallies.bsky.social
#feminism

tvovermind.com/women-have-i...
A Video Of A Man Sharing Some Hard-To-Believe Statistics Showing How The World Is Unfair To Women Goes Viral With 2.4M Likes - TVovermind
TikTok user @mrvdk brings our attention to gender inequality and gives us some shocking facts proving that this issue needs to be taken seriously and shouldn’t be downplayed.
tvovermind.com
November 15, 2025 at 6:41 PM
Reposted by Better Allies
estherschindler.bsky.social
This.
November 15, 2025 at 12:42 AM
betterallies.bsky.social
Women riders & drivers want the option to be matched with other women on Uber & Lyft (to minimize sexual assault & harassment).

I love this setting. It makes me feel safer.

Yet, men are suing the platforms for sex discrimination for limiting their economic opportunity time.com/7332356/uber...
Male Drivers Sue Uber and Lyft Over Women-Only Ride-Hailing
The lawsuits allege that male drivers receive fewer rides because of the feature, violating sex discrimination laws.
time.com
November 14, 2025 at 7:12 PM
betterallies.bsky.social
Today kicks off #TransgenderAwarenessWeek. One small way to support this community is using images of transgender people to illustrate any subject matter, not just stories about transgender topics.

See the Gender Spectrum Collection & Queer in Tech stock photo sites at betterallies.com/photos
November 13, 2025 at 4:36 PM
betterallies.bsky.social
Would you be surprised, or not-so-surprised, to learn that a key driver of gender inequity is who gets stuck with non-promotable work?

#BetterAllies #BetterWorkplaces #InclusionMatters
November 12, 2025 at 6:14 PM
betterallies.bsky.social
Looking to create a better workplace? Here are some ideas:

-Don’t let AI speed up discrimination
-Avoid black, white, dark, or light as metaphors
-Avoid phrases that diminish or disparage Indigenous people
-Use stock photos of transgender people (and not AI)
-Speak up
mailchi.mp/ab2286ccbac0...
5 Ally Actions - Nov 7, 2025
mailchi.mp
November 12, 2025 at 4:15 PM
Reposted by Better Allies
amcell.bsky.social
Calling Men, Male Faculty - could you please check that you are not set to take part in a "manel", before accepting an invitation to speak at an event, or in a seminar series? #DEI theconversation.com/whats-wrong-... (2020, & still wrong)
What’s wrong with ‘manels’ and what can we do about them
Homogenous, male-only panels remain prevalent, despite growing numbers of women experts in multiple fields.
theconversation.com
November 12, 2025 at 9:07 AM
betterallies.bsky.social
I ensure fair access to promotable work because women, esp women of color, spend significantly more time on tasks that don’t lead to advancement. (Eg onboarding new hires, scheduling social events, resolving conflicts, or jumping in to help when others are overloaded)
Graphic with the message I ensure fair access to promotable work because women, especially women of color, spend significantly more time on tasks that don’t lead to advancement. There’s also a drawing of a person giving a virtual presentation, with another person who appears to be a woman contributing work to the presentation. She comes across as busily supporting the other person, and not getting the highly-visible, career-advancing opportunity to present a work project. Along the bottom is the @BetterAllies handle and credit to @ninalimpi for the drawing.
November 11, 2025 at 5:18 PM
betterallies.bsky.social
TIL that @uofmichigan has a free, inclusive stock photo collection of adolescents in healthcare settings.

www.michiganmedicine.org/community/co...
Youth in Health: Inclusive Stock Photography Collection | Michigan Medicine
Explore a set of inclusive youth-centered stock photos where authentic youth voices inclusive of a wide range of identities are featured.
www.michiganmedicine.org
November 11, 2025 at 4:35 PM
betterallies.bsky.social
The most popular suggestion from my 5 Ally Actions newsletter last month? Use this hyperlegible font.
November 7, 2025 at 10:40 PM
betterallies.bsky.social
Will you be praised, or punished, for using AI? Depends on your gender.

Listen to this excerpt from this episode of The Culture Advantage, where Dr. Michael Baran and Karen Catlin chatted about all things allyship..

www.instagram.com/reel/DQrz6Ku...
Login • Instagram
Welcome back to Instagram. Sign in to check out what your friends, family & interests have been capturing & sharing around the world.
www.instagram.com
November 7, 2025 at 4:54 PM
betterallies.bsky.social
If your organization uses AI to screen resumes or evaluate candidates, don’t let it make decisions unchecked. Advocate for a short pause step in the hiring process to review the AI-generated materials for biased assumptions about age or gender.
November 6, 2025 at 5:59 PM
betterallies.bsky.social
Learn about my backstory & how I became a 4x author of books and a popular weekly newsletter about how people can create better workplace cultures where everyone can thrive.

On The Culture Advantage podcast with Dr. Michael Baran
www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pjfo...
"I never leave the pizza boxes:" Ally Actions with Karen Catlin
YouTube video by Culture Advantage Podcast
www.youtube.com
November 6, 2025 at 4:09 PM
betterallies.bsky.social
Change is coming. I could feel it in the air last night.

And my speaking calendar has loads of availability.

Create the culture you want (and others need) with the Better Allies approach. Practical ways to cultivate a workplace where everyone can do their best and thrive.

www.betterallies.com
November 5, 2025 at 5:34 PM
betterallies.bsky.social
Research from Stanford is troubling yet not surprising: AI can reinforce age & gender bias, esp against older women:

Portrayed women as younger & less experienced
Rated older men’s resumes more favorably

If you use AI to screen resumes or evaluate candidates, don’t let it make decisions unchecked.
Graphic with the message AI might speed up hiring; It shouldn’t also speed up discrimination. Before finalizing candidates, Let’s review AI-generated material for biased assumptions about age or gender. There’s also a drawing of three cards, representing job candidates of different racial identities and genders. Along the bottom is the @BetterAllies handle and credit to @ninalimpi for the drawing.
November 4, 2025 at 6:58 PM
betterallies.bsky.social
This segment of today's "5 Ally Actions" newsletter is generating a lot of buzz: Use this hyperlegible font

Access the links and read the other ally actions at mailchi.mp/28bf70c7a9e4...
Screen shot of the 5 Ally Actions newsletter from October 31 2025, showing action number 3: Use this hyperlegible font. The text reads: In 2022, a newsletter subscriber told me about a free typeface from the Braille Institute that can help increase character recognition, which ultimately improves the readability of a document for low-vision readers. It’s called Atkinson Hyperlegible, named after Braille Institute founder J. Robert Atkinson. I immediately downloaded it, and I’ve used it ever since in my client proposals and contracts.Learn more about its benefits in this Instagram post by BlindishLatina. As we wrap up National Disability Employment Awareness Month in the U.S. (October), I hope you’ll consider using it. And remember, it’s absolutely free.
October 31, 2025 at 8:39 PM
Reposted by Better Allies
manuinclusionroom.bsky.social
How many times have you heard a joke about your origin or accent and felt unable to respond, or that your reaction wasn’t seen as legitimate?
betterallies.bsky.social Better Allies @betterallies.bsky.social · Sep 23
Picture this: An employee calls out a manager’s “joke” about accents as offensive. The manager shrugs it off. “It was just a joke. I have the right to free speech.”

Let’s notice when someone misuses free speech as a shield for harmful behavior. And speak up.

#Inclusion #BetterWorkplaces
Graphic with the message I don’t let “free speech” excuse harm in workplaces. Because some people invoke “free speech” to defend harmful behavior. It was just a joke. I have the right to free speech. There’s also a drawing of a person holding a bubble indicating they’re saying something. The bubble has a triangular warning sign in it. Along the bottom is the @BetterAllies handle and credit to @ninalimpi for the drawing.
September 26, 2025 at 7:38 AM
betterallies.bsky.social
Sometimes the smallest interventions lead to better outcomes. (Like putting a 🎃 by your door to signal to the neighborhood children that you have treats on Halloween!)

Back to the topic of workplaces: Check out today's 5 Ally Actions for some interventions you can take.

mailchi.mp/28bf70c7a9e4...
5 Ally Actions - Oct 31, 2025
mailchi.mp
October 31, 2025 at 6:22 PM