The motivation of mission statements: How regulatory mode influences workplace discrimination

•We examine the influence of motivational messaging on workplace discrimination.•The regulatory mode of mission statements predicts discrimination activity.•Discrimination is associated with motivational messaging high in locomotion mode.•This risk can be counteracted with language that is high in assessment mode.•Consideration of ethical standards mediates this effect due to need for expediency.•We introduce a regulatory mode dictionary to help evaluate motivational language.