We all have seen the "equal opportunity employer" statements that companies put in their contracts and job offers, that lead us to believe we will be spared any discrimination within their company, but what happens when we get there and it's the complete opposite. What if you do in fact experience racism, sexism, or bias...what do you do?

The obvious answer would report it to management, and yes, of course, you should do that, but that solution is not always the best route for everyone. What if the controversy is coming from management, or someone with more authority than you. Or perhaps this is your dream job and the only way your bills will get paid.

The bottom line is controversy and inequality are not problems that get solved after one complaint is filed or one individual is reprimanded. These issues don't go away because companies began to put equality statements in contracts, they still exist and need to be addressed.

25% of working women say they have earned less than a man doing the same job, in the U.S.

Applicants with white-sounding names get one callback every 10 resumes, while applicants with African-American sounding names get one callback every 15 resumes.

4.1% of charges filed to the EEOC in 2017 are religion-based cases.

The bottom line is controversy and inequality are not problems that get solved after one complaint is filed or one individual is reprimanded. These issues don't go away because companies began to put equality statements in contracts, they still exist and need to be addressed.

It is ok to speak up and stand up.

Yes, file those complaints, but don't let your employer sweep it under the rug afterward. Continue to point out things you feel uncomfortable with or that the company could work on regarding equality. Sometimes it is a big risk, but it is up to you to decide whether you want to continue to deal with it in silence, or address it and have the opportunity to make a difference.

So thank you to all the activists that work tirelessly to demolish inequality in the workplace. Thank you to leaders such as:

Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka, UN Women

Malala Yousafzai, Malala Fund

Ai-jen Poo, National Domestic Workers Alliance

These women, along with many more, lead the fight to neutralize inequality, and uplift women and minorities, so that we too can be successful without having to suffer through such controversy to get there.