Respect at the Workplace

Respect: Deserve it, Earn it and Share it.

Do you ever feel undervalued, or disrespected, by your boss and co-workers at your work? Like you're being passed all  the unwanted tasks to complete, without any assistance or appreciation?
Do you feel that you're treated like that every day? 
In the face of such mistreatment, you shouldn't remain meek. There are ways you can improve your situation, how others see and treat you.


Lose the Victim Attitude

If you're being mistreated or disrespected on a daily basis, you are partly responsible for your current situation, at least by allowing it.

Take time to self-evaluate yourself and identify your own behavior and habits that allowed people to belittle and take advantage of you... are you too nice, can't say no, too timid...? By identifying the possible causes, you can start changing for the better by these behaviors.

Speak Up, Loud and Clear

If you think keeping the peace is important, good for you but if you keep silent where you feel you should have a say in something, you'll lose all chance of creating a 'presence' and without presence, you won't have influence.

If you think you can contribute to a discussion or believe your opinion on a matter is of importance, valid and worth hearing, speak up and let your voice be heard. Make your presence felt.

Keep Credit when Credit is due You

Respect begins from within. For others to respect you, you should first feel that you deserve respect, at least for the good work that you do.

Ensure that everyone is well aware of your activities, ideas and contributions to any project via status/progress reports emailed to the group.

If others have been claiming credit for your ideas, speak privately to them in regards to this matter.

"No" is a useful word. Use it.

If you can't seem to say "NO" to requests for favors, start putting the word back on your daily vocabulary and practice. A little assertiveness can be a BIG help for you and your career.

If you feel troubled saying "No", then you can decline in a kind, polite manner. You can say, "I really want to help but I've been assigned by the boss to focus on this project until it's completed to his satisfaction. I don't want to disappoint him."

Avoid Being Taken Advantage Of

If you allowed coworkers to take advantage of you, it's most likely they will make it a habit if you allow it.

To best avoid this, you must position yourself against routine requests by being too busy to be bothered. Be on the move, don't seem like you're not doing anything. Even during breaks, always carry a folder or reading through reports. Even if you aren't busy, you must busy, as if you're on a deadline.

Ask Help from the Top

If the mistreatment, disrespect persists, try talking to your boss for counsel and assistance in regards to this matter. Perhaps your boss can improve your situation by acknowledging your presence with praise, treating you better publicly or assigning you on a project you can handle with some authority.

Just remember to be diplomatic and tactful about sharing your situation with your boss, you don't want to point fingers and list down names. It is important to gain friendly recognition, respect and not envious enemies.

When All else Fails, Time to move on.

You done all you could to establish your presence, preserve influence and dignity but your boss, colleagues or workplace are still treating you like a multi-tasking appliance rather than a human being.

At this point in time, you may want to consider looking for a new job, and a new workplace, where possibly you may find the right people to work with.  This can trigger an alarm in your present workplace if they do realize your value as a worker and co-employee, but if not this is your chance to finally get from where you can be fulfilled positively professionally and socially.