‘Odd Socks Day’ is an annual awareness and fundraising event that was created in 2017 by the Anti-Bullying Alliance in the United Kingdom. The idea behind this movement is to wear two mismatched socks to spark conversations about disability and how the disabled community experiences bullying at a higher rate than their abled counterparts.
Neurodivergent Workers More Likely to Experience Bullying
Statistics have shown that neurodivergent people are at a higher risk of being bullied and ostracized by their peers at school and work than their neurotypical counterparts.
The prevailing thought behind this is that neurodivergent folks, particularly those who are autistic, have ADHD, or PTSD, don’t have the expected social responses to the subtle, non-verbal signals given out by their classmates or co-workers.
This can create what is called the ‘uncanny valley effect’ for the neurotypical person because, although their eyes see a person just like them, that person presents differently in their behavior, demeanor, non-verbal cues, body language, and vocal prosody that gives the non-autistic person an uncomfortable feeling that something is ‘off’.
Because these differences cause feelings of conflict and distrust between neurotypical and neurodivergent people, a rift can start before a word is ever exchanged between the two.
Of course, bullying and rejection should never be an accepted response to these feelings, but it can be difficult for both parties to know what to do to move past them more constructively.
Anti-bullying initiatives, such as Odd Socks Day, turn those awkward feelings into a lighthearted conversation starter that helps put people at ease and gets them on the same page.
The initiative also encourages everyone, whether neurotypical or neurodivergent, to participate in the same way (wearing fun, colorful mismatched socks) which creates a feeling of unity and common ground.
Pair Odd Socks with Other Awareness Events
What I like about Odd Socks Day is that it’s easy and accessible for almost everyone. It’s inexpensive to participate, there’s only one thing to remember, and it can be paired (no pun intended) with other awareness events such as an educational class on disability, neurodiversity, or bullying on the same day.
You can even incorporate a built-in block of time before the meeting or class for everyone to discuss why they chose their socks (favorite color, animal, etc.), where they got them, and any special meaning they may have. This offers the opportunity to build rapport with co-workers who may have never interacted before.
Moreover, this relaxed approach may be a gentle reminder that, at the end of the day, everyone is unique and equal.
Other Ways to Combat Workplace Bullying for a Safer Environment
While wearing mismatched socks to work can be a fun way to build rapport and start the conversation, it takes sustained effort to combat workplace bullying and create a safer, more accessible environment for everyone.
Here are some constructive ways to reduce bullying in the workplace:
1. Relieve workplace stress
When tensions are high in the workplace, employees may take out their frustrations on the most vulnerable or unsuspecting target–i.e., the disabled or neurodivergent employee. Take the time to seek out and diagnose the common causes of stress in your office so you can help relieve it before it develops into a toxic work environment.
2. Implement clear bullying policies and consequences
Another way to reduce workplace bullying is to be clear about what is considered bullying in your office, and what the consequences are for engaging in it. Clear, concise information highlights your awareness of problematic behavior and clarifies the strength of your company’s stance on the issue.
3. Encourage open and respectful communication
Encouraging open and respectful communication gives your employees a chance to voice their opinions and frustrations as individuals and as a team without fear of retaliation. Remind your employees that it’s them versus the problem, not them versus each other.
4. Keep disability and neurodiversity in the conversation
Another helpful way to reduce workplace bullying is by keeping disability and neurodiversity at the forefront of the conversation. Share helpful articles in the company newsletter, offer training and workshops on disability and neurodiversity, and treat misunderstandings among your employees as teachable moments about brain and communication differences.
The Takeaway
When you use lighthearted conversation starters to bring up difficult topics, you reduce the emotional load on your employees while making them feel more connected. And when you prioritize stress reduction, education, and teamwork, you create an environment where everyone, regardless of ability or neurotype, can thrive.
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