Respect at Work Discussion Cards

Thirty everyday workplace situations for small-group discussion, each with facilitator notes, suggested responses and words people can actually use.

Who it is for

• Managers and supervisors who want to talk about respect with their teams in a practical, fair way

• HR and training staff running respect, inclusion or team workshops

• Small-business owners who want shared standards without a long policy session

• Shift leads and team leads looking for a ten-minute huddle activity

• Trainers building onboarding or refresher programs

The problem it solves

Respect at work is built or lost in ordinary moments: an interruption, a nickname, a message in capital letters, who gets invited to lunch. Most teams never talk about those moments until one of them becomes a complaint. A discussion needs good material: situations that are specific, realistic and fair to everyone in the room, with more than one reasonable response. This pack gives you thirty of them, across offices, shops, clinics, kitchens, trades and warehouses. Each card keeps the focus on behavior and its effect on work, and each ends with words people could say, because knowing what to say is what most people find hardest.

What is inside

• Copyright, how to use the pack and terms explained (3 pages)

• Guide (5 pages): what the cards are for and the four themes, setting up a safe discussion, five ways to run the cards in person and online (each with purpose, timing, group size, materials, steps, debrief questions and virtual version), debriefing, a three-session plan and adapting by workplace

• Card chooser (1 page): all 30 by theme and setting

• 30 discussion cards (8 pages, four per page): situation, who is involved, goal of the discussion, three questions and a practice line

• Facilitator notes (8 pages): points to consider, suggested responses and what each achieves, words you could use, and a check-first note where rules apply

• Discussion worksheet (2 pages): blank and filled in

• Discussion card template (2 pages): blank and filled in

• Editable Word file (39 pages): every card with its notes, the five formats, the worksheet and the template

How to use it

1. Read the page on setting up a safe discussion and agree ground rules with the group.

2. Choose two or three cards from the chooser and print them with their facilitator notes.

3. Run them with one of the five formats: small-group discussion, practice the words, huddle card draw, perspective swap, or build a team standard.

4. Share the suggested responses after the groups report back, and agree what the team will do.

Formats and file types

• PDF guide, cards and facilitator notes, 29 pages, US Letter, print or screen

• Word (.docx), all 30 cards and notes, editable

• Licensed for internal use by the purchasing organization

Frequently asked questions