4 Ways Workplaces Can Support Iranian Employees
It’s day 24 of the Iranian protests that have taken the nation and the world by storm. Led by Iranian women, the country is fighting for freedom, bodily autonomy, and regime change.
On September 16th, 22-year-old Iranian-Kurdish woman Mahsa Zhina Amini was murdered by the Islamic Republic’s “morality” police. Her death has led to recorded protests in all 31 provinces in Iran, where we’ve seen unprecedented footage of Iranian women taking off and burning their compulsory hijab, chanting ‘Women. Life. Freedom’.
Protestors have been kidnapped, arrested, and brutally murdered by the military, many of whom are Gen Z girls and women, simply for defying the oppression that they and their mothers and grandmothers before them have experienced at the hands of this merciless regime. To learn more about what’s been going on in Iran, read this piece in The Conversation by our cofounder Dr. Zahra Khosroshahi.
There are approximately 4 million Iranians living abroad. The Iranian diaspora has been incredibly active, using their voice and platform to raise awareness through social media and protests, encouraging the international community to join them in supporting the Iranian people in their struggle for freedom. Toronto, home to the second-largest Iranian diaspora, witnessed 50,000 attendants during the Freedom Rally for Iran on October 1st. The Iranian diaspora plays an important role in the fight for change, and naturally, we’re deeply affected by it on an emotional level.
We’ve spent weeks glued to our smartphones, worried about our families and countryfolk, trying to get in touch with those on the ground amidst mass Internet shutdowns. It’s been a difficult time, filled with hope and despair, heartbreak and rage. And the last thing on our mind is work.
In many ways, it seems the West has become desensitized toward conflict in the Middle East. As we enter the fourth week of protests, here are four ways workplaces can step up and support their Iranian employees during this time.
#1 – Reach Out
Checking in with your Iranian colleagues is low effort, but goes a long way. You can do this as part of your HR or Operations team. Perhaps leadership or executives can offer a statement of support. Maybe you just want to reach out to a colleague, or you supervise someone on your team who is Iranian and want to show your support. Regardless of who or how you do it, it’s important to acknowledge the current situation, ask about their families, and make sure they feel validated during this difficult time.
Here’s an example of what you can say: “I have been following the protests in Iran and I know this must be a hard time for you. I wanted to share my solidarity and support, and let you know that I stand with you and Iranians in their fight for freedom. Is there anything I can do to support you?”
#2 – De-emphasize Work
It’s crucial that Iranian employees do not feel guilt for being distracted and disengaged at work during this time. The last thing they are thinking of is work and deadlines. They’re not in a good place, and their emotional, mental, and psychological well-being is at risk. Normalize stepping away from work, taking breaks or wellness days, and being flexible with deadlines.
You can approach this by saying: “I know focusing on work must be hard at this time. I wanted to share that taking time away from work or changing timelines and workload is completely on the table. Please take the time you need and prioritize your mental health. Is there anything I can take off your plate for this week?”
#3 – Offer Financial Support
Many Iranians abroad are using phone cards to get in touch with their families due to the Internet shutdown that has impacted common social media and communication platforms such as WhatsApp and Instagram. In addition, mental health support is crucial during this time. Workplaces can offer financial support for both. Your organization can also support and donate to Amnesty Iran and Tooshe, an application that Iranians can download to circumvent censorship.
Here’s an example of what you can say: “We have some money set aside to help Iranian employees navigate this difficult time, and I wanted to reach out and ask if this is something that you’d like me to get started on.”
#4 – Amplify Iranian Voices
Amplifying the voices of Iranians inside Iran and raising awareness about the current situation is an incredibly important step workplaces and colleagues can take to show their solidarity. Our fight today is one of the most powerful feminist movements we have seen in recent history, worldwide. Join us!
Unfortunately, there have been unfactual and disappointing accounts of the Iran protests in the media. It is perhaps a challenge to understand the extent of this movement, especially if you are not familiar with Iranian social media accounts, journalists, and activists who are providing an accurate analysis of what’s going on. The solution is to simply ask.
You can approach this by saying: “I am not too familiar with Iranian voices and pundits who are providing accurate coverage. I’d like to show my solidarity, can you share a few recommendations of who I should be following and re-tweeting?”
We hope this piece helps you and other non-Iranians in the workplace understand the importance of supporting Iranian colleagues, and gives you some practical ways to do so. We are not okay. And we don’t benefit from your silence. A simple message goes a long way in making sure we feel seen and supported.
Here’s to a free Iran, here’s to women’s rights, and here’s to the end of oppression, everywhere. Thank you for reading!
Women. Life. Freedom.