Unfair treatment in the workplace is not uncommon, unfortunately. Despite spending years educating themselves and developing in-demand skills, some people find themselves in work environments where their talent and hard work remain unrecognized. Unfair treatment can take many forms, from being denied a promotion to receiving more tasks than colleagues.
Being treated unfairly at work can affect your morale, motivation, performance, and self-esteem, so accepting or tolerating unfair treatment is not an option.
What should you do if you experience unfair treatment at work? Read on to learn more.
Analyze the Situation Carefully
Before taking any other action, analyze your situation carefully. Who is treating you poorly? How does this person treat the rest of your colleagues? In which contexts do you feel discriminated against or disrespected? Give the other person the benefit of the doubt, but monitor their behavior and their reactions towards you closely.
Do you have a reason to suspect that this person is acting out of ignorance or malice? Is the person using inappropriate language such as sexual or racist remarks towards you or in normal workplace conversations? Pay attention to all these details. It will help you determine the potential cause behind the unfair treatment.
Racial discrimination in the workplace is still very prevalent. If you believe your employer or manager does not give you the consideration you deserve because of your color, hire a lawyer to protect your legal rights.
Communicate Your Concerns
The worst thing you can do is ignore the unfair treatment. The problem is unlikely to disappear on its own, so you must protect your rights and speak out for yourself. Get in touch with a supervisor or the HR team and communicate the problem. Mention any relevant facts, actions, and words. The more details you include, the easier it will be for the other person to understand the gravity of the situation.
Communication can solve many problems. Some people hold negative biases unconsciously. When someone tells them off, they realize their mistake and correct their behavior. This is the best possible scenario when it comes to solving workplace conflicts. However, communication isn’t always enough, as shown by the staggering number of employment-related lawsuits.
Collect Evidence
Collecting evidence of unfair treatment will help you convince mediators and external parties that you have valid reasons to demand an investigation. Always communicate in writing and keep a copy of all conversations in the cloud. Save texts, emails, internal memos, and any other relevant data. Make sure someone else is present whenever you interact with the person treating you poorly.
There is a massive power imbalance in employer-employee relations. Big companies have the budget and the know-how to protect themselves, but not the same can be said about the employees. Providing undisputable evidence is the best thing you can do to turn things in your favor.
Final Words
Unfair treatment in the workplace is not only unethical but also illegal. The thought of confronting your boss or supervisor or suing a big company can be scary, but the law is on your side. Find the courage to demand justice.
