Barriers and Bias Glossary
Vocabulary for talking about barriers and bias
These words will help you describe professional barriers, unfair treatment, and healthier expectations in the workplace.
How to use this glossary
- Click or press Enter/Space on each word to open it.
- Read the meaning and the work example.
- Choose one word to use in your own sentence in the next activity.
You do not need to memorize everything. Focus on the words that feel most useful for you.
barrier
Something that makes it harder to move forward, even when you have skills and motivation.
Work example: A company only accepts online applications in a system that is not accessible on phones. This creates a barrier for people who do not have a computer.
bias
An unfair preference or dislike for a person or group, sometimes hidden or unconscious.
Work example: A hiring manager feels more comfortable with candidates who went to the same school as them. This bias makes them overlook strong candidates from other schools.
stereotype
A simple, fixed idea about a group of people that ignores real differences between individuals.
Work example: Someone says, “Older workers can’t learn new technology.” This stereotype can block experienced people from training opportunities.
expectation
What someone thinks should happen or how they think a person should behave.
Work example: A supervisor’s expectation is that staff arrive five minutes before the shift to prepare. When this is not explained clearly, workers may feel they are failing without knowing why.
assert / assertive
To assert something means to say it clearly and confidently. Being assertive means expressing your needs and opinions in a calm, respectful way.
Work example: An employee is assertive when they say, “I can help with this project, but I need a clear deadline and I can’t stay late every night.”
perception
How someone sees or understands a person or situation. Perception can be different from reality.
Work example: A manager’s perception is that a quiet worker is not interested, but in reality the worker is still learning the language and needs more time to speak.
misjudge
To form an opinion that is not fair or not correct, often because you do not have all the information.
Work example: A recruiter misjudges a candidate because of a short gap on their CV, without asking about caregiving or health reasons.
In the next activity, you will choose one word from this list and write your own simple example sentence about work, hiring, or professional life.