Handling disrespect @workplace

Musings 1 Minute

Last week I posted the six micro behaviors of disrespect at workplace. I received several inquiries about the best ways to deal with it.

Here are my thoughts, inviting my LinkedIn friends to build on these thoughts.

I believe that actions can be taken by multiple parties: managers, bystanders and the employees facing disrespect. Here’s how each can play a crucial role in fostering a respectful work environment.

If you are a manager

  1. Regularly reflect on your behavior and its impact on your team. Are you disrespecting one or more team members inadvertently – either because you are under stress, overworked or angry or you find it normal (based on your past experience as a team member… )
  2. Seek feedback and be open to changing your ways of working
  3. Invest in building capability: choice of words, non-verbal communication, giving constructive feedback  with respect etc.

If you witness someone being disrespected at workplace, choose not to be a mute bystanders. Take few proactive steps

  1. Speak up by directly confronting the person involved or by reporting the incident to right people.
  2. Support the affected employee, let them know he or she is not alone and that you are there to help. Sometimes, knowing that someone else recognizes the problem can be incredibly empowering.

Finally, if you personally facing disrespect, here’s what you could do:

  1. Take care of your health, remember you are not to responsible.
  2. Evaluate the severity and frequency – is it a one-time incident or a recurring problem? Understanding the context can help determine the appropriate course of action.
  3. Have a conversation if you feel comfortable, consider addressing the issue directly with the person involved. Sometimes, they may not realize their behavior is disrespectful, and a candid conversation can help resolve the issue.
  4. Escalate ifdirect communication doesn’t resolve the issue.
  5. Lastly, assess the work environment – is it too toxic to stay? If yes, consider looking for new opportunities if the situation doesn’t improve.

How else can you handle disrespect at workplace? Inviting you to share your inputs and build on this important topic.

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Published by Padma Rajeswari

At the outset, I would like to thank you for stopping by my Blog. I believe that there is nothing right or wrong in this world. What’s right in this moment and context may be wrong in another moment and context. This belief has inspired me to name my blog ‘Perspectives’. Perspectives is a platform for me to share my experiences, thoughts and perspectives on various subjects. You may have a different point of view. I look forward to hearing them, these are the triggers for rich and deep conversations. On personal front, I live in Mumbai, India. I love to read; Somerset Maugham and Nevil Shute are my favorite authors. My favorite books are The Razor’s Edge, Mrs. Craddock, Chequer Board and Gone with the Wind. I am thankful to my father who inculcated the habit of reading in me early on. I am also passionate about traveling, I have been to most parts of India and to several countries across the globe. On professional front, I work in Human Resources function. Over two and half decades, I have worked across multiple industries and cultures. I focus on Leadership Development, Talent Management, Visioning and Culture, Large-scale change, Employee Listening & Engagement, Employee Well-being, Inclusive work culture, HR effectiveness, Behavior and Mind-set shifts through sustained interventions I currently lead Organization Effectiveness Function for Aditya Birla Group, a $44.3 billion conglomerate with 120000 employees across 35 countries. I sincerely hope that you will enjoy reading my blog. I look forward to your thoughts and suggestions. Thank you!

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