Being discriminated against in any context can be difficult to handle, but when it happens in your workplace, the challenges are on a whole new level. Being treated unfairly at work can impact you on a personal and emotional level and interfere with your career and professional growth.
This article will explore coping when you feel like you’re being discriminated against at work and discuss the steps you need to take.
Recognize and Document the Discrimination
Suppose you feel like you’re facing discrimination based on your race, gender, age, disability, sexual orientation, or any other factors. In that case, you need to be able to recognize this and start documenting it right away.
Write down dates, times, and incidents where any discriminatory comments or actions are made against you, whether they take the form of verbal harassment, physical abuse, having your views and suggestions disregarded, etc. Any legal representatives for employees will need some form of evidence if a claim is filed, and this information will be essential to a court case.
Seek Support
Discrimination at work (or anywhere else!) should never be tolerated and needs to be reported. You should find support from internal resources like your company’s HR department or direct employer. Aside from the law, there should also be company policies that protect you from this kind of harm, and you need to lean on these.
If you struggle emotionally, you should also seek support from your friends, family members, and support groups. Vent out your frustrations and speak your mind. However, try to avoid discussing these challenges with colleagues in the workplace.
Educate Yourself on Your Rights
Refer to the laws and company policies we mentioned and get educated on your rights in the workplace. Understanding how you are and are not allowed to be treated and what you can do about it will help you make decisions.
Typically, you’ll start by reporting the discrimination to HR or your employer, and hopefully, it can be resolved internally. However, if you feel that the incident was severe enough, you may wish to take legal action; in this case, you can contact an employment lawyer to assist you and help you understand the process as it develops.
Develop Coping Strategies
Whether or not you decide to take legal action, dealing with discrimination-related disputes at work can be extremely emotionally taxing, and you might find yourself struggling with the psychological impact.
You’ll need to develop healthy ways of coping with these feelings to move through this process professionally. Make sure you talk through your feelings with friends and family, take time to destress, practice mindfulness, and remove yourself from the situation occasionally. If you feel like you need help, don’t be afraid to reach out to a therapist who specializes in these types of conflicts and the trauma associated with discrimination.
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