Discrimination in the workplace
Discrimination can be a very painful experience, not to mention, damaging to one’s self-esteem. Worst of all, it hampers your career prospects more than any other obstacle in the working world. But discrimination is also subjective, and is not always easy to recognize. How can you tell if you are being discriminated against without knowing it?
One of the more common examples of discrimination at the workplace is being excluded from office meetings and social events. When your entire team goes out to lunch to celebrate a major account, and do not (or belatedly) invite you, then you know something is wrong.
People who are excluded from meals or invites to meals should pay close attention to ensuring that they are assessed fairly at work. You could be getting trapped into not just being discriminated against, but also being seen as ineffective.
Often, isolating you from the support of colleagues is the first step towards sidelining you completely. You can tell that you’re not wanted and that you’re not appreciated when it happens. No one asks you to head any projects or stay back to help with deadlines anymore.
Try networking with people who are as influential as the person who is not inviting you out, and taking notes and having documentation ready as proof of your commitments at work and of your contributions to the company and team. That way, even if you are bad-mouthed, you’ll still have your back covered.
Everyone has got an opinion about everything, especially when it comes to other people. But what hurts more than someone telling you that you’re a slow worker to your face is someone who says so to another colleague in your presence.
Spend time training to be more assertive or try to make friends and be an influence to all those who are listening to the habitual commentator. When they know you better, they will stand up for you against him or her.
People who are discriminated against in terms of promotions, benefits and recognition should take things into their own hands. They must see that they have to make themselves recognized. This is not a very Asian thing to do, but unfortunately the working world has moved in this direction. A person must not only be skilled, but must also share their work and document it so that others do not have the chance to steal credit for an idea or job well done. You must be more assertive, have effective communication skills and manage stress effectively.
When things are not going well and there is no support from the organization, and you feel trapped and stuck, then it is time to seriously think about moving out instead of sitting around and complaining that the company is no good.
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