Home Depot teaches employees about privilege, says 'if you don’t have to think about it, it’s a privilege'

Home Depot in Canada has come under fire recently after a training pace was posted to Twitter, highlighting privilege as it applies to race, religion, and sexuality.

The packet, posted to Twitter by Libs of TikTok, was reportedly from a Home Depot store in Calgary, Alberta.

In the "Leading Practices" packet titled, "Unpacking privilege," goes on to define different types of privilege, and what privilege "looks like."

It defines "Social Privilege" as a "special, unearned advantage or entitlement, used to one’s own benefit or to the detriment of others. These groups can be advantaged based on social class, age, disability, ethnic or racial category, gender identity, sexual orientation, and religion."

It goes on to define "White Privilege" as: "Societal privileges that benefit white people beyond what is commonly experienced by people of colour under the same social, political and economic circumstances."

"A person may or may not be aware that they are benefiting from privilege," the packet notes.

As examples of privilege, the packet states: "If you’re confident that the police exist to protect you, you have white privilege," "If you can use public bathrooms without stares, fears or anxiety, you have cisgender privilege," and "If you can expect time off from work to celebrate your religious holidays, you have Christian privilege."

The packet then asks workers to check boxes that correspond with their privileges, stating "if you don’t have to think about it, it’s a privilege."

It moves on to talk about racism, saying "Racism = Racial Prejudice + Power."

The packet asks Home Depot employees to engage in conversations around privilege, specifically around white privilege, with a mic strip of two Home Depot employees talking about why they are uncomfortable talking about the subject.

It states that "the word 'white' creates discomfort especially when individuals are not used to being defined or described by their race," and "when people hear the word 'privilege,' they feel like it suggests that they have never struggled."

"White privilege does not mean your life has not been hard," the packet notes. "It simply means that the colour of your skin is not one of the reasons that makes it harder."

The packet urges employees to talk to family members, coworkers, or friends about the topic, even if it’s "not an easy conversation.

"Sometimes, the best way to engage in these conversations requires understanding and patience because you might need to act as a teacher. But as great allies we know that we must strive to learn, reflect and practice," the packet adds.

It gives two different ways of approaching a conversation like this, an instance of a person being "uninformed," and an instance of a person being "defensive."

In the case of an "uninformed" person, the packet tells employees to provide reading or watching materials, "set time to sit down and review what you both learned," and to share concepts "in your own words."

In the case of a "defensive" person the packet says employees should "try to understand their mindset," "think creatively to change your approach," "frame ideas with language they can identify with," and says "sometimes people have difficulty empathizing if they are not affected or can’t relate with a similar experience."