Things that make you feel disrespected…
I was interviewing a Gen Z. This young engineering graduate said, “Respect is non-negotiable; if I feel disrespected, I will quit, even if I have no other offers in hand.”
This sentiment is not exclusive to any generation; the need to feel respected is fundamental.
While life circumstances or personal goals might force someone to stay in a disrespectful work environment temporarily, most will not tolerate it long-term.
Disrespect can manifest in subtle, everyday interactions. These micro-behaviors might not stand out, but they deeply affect the person experiencing them.
Seven micro-behaviors that signal disrespect are:
- Being Dismissed: Colleagues or managers dismiss your inputs, override your points, or constantly interrupt you in conversations.
- Unprofessional language or behavior: derogatory, sarcastic language, being shouted at.
- Ignore presence: failing to greet or acknowledge someone, not responding to emails or messages
- Unappreciative: of your contributions or work, especially if others are praised for similar work
- Being excluded: from meetings, projects or events, leaving one feeling isolated and undervalued
- Criticizing or correcting publicly in front of others
You would have experienced or seen some of these behaviors at workplace, even today.. It may be happening in certain functions or sub-functions.
Or only few people may experience it..the average or poor performers.
Performance aside, I strongly feel that every employee must be respected. Even if we decide to fire an employee, it should be done with respect, dignity of the employee must be upheld.
What other forms of disrespect have you seen at workplace?
How can we stop it?
Perspectives 