The idea of being firm, standing your ground, and sticking up for yourself at work is one that a lot of employees toy with from time to time. However, more often than not, they choose not to. And why is that? The fear of backlash is very strong amongst the workforce at the moment, so having some caution and picking your battles might be a sensible move. But when the battle involves any of these situations, it’s time to speak up.
When coworkers steal credit
It’s not the most dramatic or serious issue we’re going to look at this, but it is a common one and one that you might very well be sick of. When employees steal credit for your ideas or your contributions, it can sometimes feel like you’ve been working towards nothing. It is most certainly a behavior that you should make a stand against, as it can reduce your chances of further career advancement. When it happens, set the record straight right there and then if you can. Follow up by having a one-to-one with the offending party, letting them know why you contradicted them while also making it clear your value their role as your coworker. But prevention is the best cure, as they say, so you should simply be more open and forward about claiming the credit yourself. Just don’t steal anyone else’s thunder or you will feel the humiliation of the put-down.
When a boss is pushing you around
This is different from when a boss is harassing or bullying you. We’re talking about ways of pushing you around that fit perfectly within their legal rights, such as assigning you to work that you’re uncomfortable with or pressuring you for results that you feel you can’t deliver as it is. If you have a combative boss that you hate, being diplomatic can be difficult, but it can yield great results. Don’t come at them with a simple statement that you would rather do X than Y or that you can’t do Z. Give them pros and cons of why you’re better at doing X, or potential solutions to help you accomplish Z. It gives them a lot less leeway to simply see you as a lazy team member. Of course, sometimes you might encounter that boss who is simply unwilling to give you the respect you deserve. For that reason, record what you discuss after you discuss it, so you have evidence to back you up if you end up having to meet with HR.
When you’re not getting the push you want
Sometimes, a push from the boss is important. This is particularly true when it comes to a promotion. If you feel like you’ve been passed up, don’t stomp your feet, don’t glower, and don’t hold it against coworkers who have been given opportunities you haven’t. Talk to your boss as Smart Meetings suggests. Ask them if they have any feedback that could help you secure the move next time it comes around. You have to let them know that you’re aiming higher than your current position, and if they give you goals to meet, you have the opportunity to show them how serious you are about it. Moreover, think about it from their perspective. When we look at job performance, we tend to adopt an insular lens that’s all about excelling in the ways that we consider important. The truth is that your boss might not see half of the work you do. Think about what’s visible to them, what helps them succeed, and what might help them look good to their own bosses.
If your wellbeing is at risk
Now it’s time to look into more serious matters: your rights as an employee. First of all, you have the right to a healthy workplace, physically and emotionally. For the physical side, it’s important to stand up for yourself when you are injured or made sick by the workplace. Especially if you don’t have guaranteed sick pay, losing income by being put out of work can put significant strain on your finances. Finkelstein, Meirowitz & Eidlisz, LLP shows that workers’ compensation isn’t just a one-time payment, it has to sustain you throughout any disability that stops you from going into work, so make sure the responsible parties pay when they should. For your mental and emotional health, you should be wary of bullying and harassment in the workplace, too. When it happens, record it. If you can, get witnesses ready to corroborate. If it’s not just a one-off, then it shouldn’t be too long before you have substantial evidence to take to HR. Avoiding getting the boss’s attention directly or prematurely, or else it risks looking like just another workplace squabble rather than the unacceptable behavior that it is.
When overtime is forced on you
Sometimes, your boss will ask you to work late and sometimes you should be willing to accept. It wins you brownie points, it could make you and your coworkers’ lives easier in the future. The money might be worth it, too. But it is against your rights as an employee for you to be pressured into overtime regularly. What’s more, it’s bad for your health, with clear links to chronic stress and cardiovascular disease.
When you’re not getting paid
As Biz Fluent shows, you have more options than your employer might like you to believe you have when it comes to late, missing, or incorrect paychecks. If you’re concerned with a discrepancy or a lack of pay, make sure you’re familiar with the company’s policy on pay, which should be stated in your contract. Contact your employer and HR department to clear up any errors that might explain it. If that doesn’t fix the issue, however, and there’s no resolution in sight, get in touch with your state’s Department of Labor and make a formal claim.
It’s important to note that the points above don’t mention gossiping or bringing in the authorities to handle a simple dispute. You have to know the appropriate measures to deal with every situation, whether it’s simply saying your piece one-to-one, in a meeting, in HR channels, or even looking to external legal help.
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