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For many people, their time at work is difficult and often pretty unexciting. That shouldn’t really come as much of a surprise, after all, the clue is in the name! However, there’s a big difference between working a job that isn’t particularly engaging or that you don’t really like, and being treated so poorly that every day at work is utterly miserable. Sadly there are plenty of people for whom the latter is a day-to-day reality. Far too many employees are treated in ways that are not only unfair but potentially illegal without realizing that there are things that they can do about it. After all, we all deserve to find a career that we really love. With that in mind, here are some ways in which employers can treat their staff unfairly and how you can fight against it.
Signs You Are Being Mistreated
- You are constantly belittled or humiliated in front of colleagues.
- Your boss or coworkers are withholding important information or resources from you.
- You are given an unfair workload compared to your coworkers.
- You are regularly asked to work overtime without extra compensation or time off.
- You are subjected to unwanted physical contact or harassment.
- You are excluded from meetings or decision-making processes that directly affect your work.
- You are not given credit for your ideas or work.
- You are being paid less than your coworkers who perform the same job duties.
- Your employer is not providing you with a safe and healthy work environment.
- You are being retaliated against for reporting mistreatment or unfair treatment.
Discrimination
Workplace discrimination is one of the biggest problems that a lot of people will face in their lives. It can often be enough to make a lot of people want to give up on their careers entirely. And that’s just when they’re dealing with it from colleagues. Things get a whole lot worse when it’s coming from your employer. When that happens it can feel as though there’s nowhere to go for support but it’s important to remember that most businesses have HR departments suited to just this kind of situation. And if that’s not an option then walking away from that position may well be the best option.
Poor working hours
We’ve all had those days where we’ve had to put in an extra hour or two at work to make sure that a job gets done. Often it’s something that most of us are willing to do within reason. The issue arises when you feel like you’re constantly being pressured into working unfair hours by your employer. This is especially true if you’re not being paid overtime. Discussing this with your employer to try and work it out is essential but if they refuse to see reason, once again walking away might be an option.
Unfair termination
Finding yourself terminated from your job can be one of the most shocking and frightening things that you will ever go through. This is especially true if you feel as though your employer doesn’t really have a good reason for doing so. Researching and understanding wrongful termination laws is one of the most important things you can do. That way you can finally start building a case for unfair dismissal and you can prevent your employer from doing whatever they want.
“Are you well-versed in your rights as an employee? Without this knowledge, you could inadvertently fall prey to workplace discrimination or experience infringements upon your rights. Such experiences can detrimentally impact the advancement of your career and your income stream.” – Employment Discrimination
It may frequently seem futile to confront an employer who is treating you unjustly. Such employers bank on the notion that you feel powerless to respond. They want you to perceive them as overwhelmingly larger and more formidable, making any attempt to resist their actions seem insignificant. However, this assumption is unequivocally false. The reality is, there are always actions you can take and support systems you can tap into. While the prospect of leaving a job may be daunting, guidance on how to start anew is readily available.
If you are considering walking away, be mindful of what you can do next. Ideally, you want something lined up, or a new opportunity. Using the best resume templates and putting your best foot forwards can help a great deal in a