Tips for Coping with a Negative Work Environment
Being subjected to a hostile work environment (a pervasive/persistent negative and offensive work environment) is illegal under Title VII. If you’ve become subjected to a negative work environment based on racial discrimination, harassment and/or retaliation, it’s important that you come up with strategies for dealing with your situation. Here are some tips:
TIP #1: Document everything and everyone that is contributing to a hostile work environment. Create a chart that details each incident that takes place, who was involved, etc. This will help with recollecting events at a later time and the chart can be used as evidence in an internal or external investigation.
Tip #2: You have to be proactive in coming up with strategies for how to cope with persistently offensive work environment, including deciding when it may be time to end your employment. You need to decide if you are going to file a complaint with your manager and/or HR staff, file an external complaint or take some other internal or external action.
TIP #3: If you should decide to leave employment, carefully examine the job market, your finances, and your options. If you are forced to resign your position, always try to leave a job on your own terms. It’s a tough job market, so it’s probably wise to make sure you having another job lined up before leaving. That assumes that your job isn’t so hostile that it’s taken a physical toll on you, such as high blood pressure (dizziness, seeing spots, etc.) or some other problem that might require you to act before you’ve found other employment.
TIP #4: If you stay at your job, do everything in your power to create a positive and peaceful environment. You can use music, photos/artwork, etc. to create a relaxed atmosphere in your office or cubicle. You can steal some moments of peace by taking a 5-10 minute walk outside of the office building. Or, you simply stand outside for a few minutes to purge the negative energy from the office.
Tip #5: Try making quick phone calls to friends and family throughout the day. Talk about something besides work. Or, meet up with a friend for lunch and talk about something other than your problems at work.
TIP #6: Focus on doing your job correctly. Don’t give your employer ammunition to use against you that will “justify” your continued mistreatment. Pay attention to details and proof your assignments. Don’t get into arguments with coworkers or managers that can be used to “prove” you allegedly can’t take criticism, are insubordinate, etc. Finally, make sure you follow all project rules/protocol and all of your company practices and procedures.
Tip #7: Don’t forget that exercise helps to relieve stress and tension. Try to work out in the morning or after work!
TIP #1: Document everything and everyone that is contributing to a hostile work environment. Create a chart that details each incident that takes place, who was involved, etc. This will help with recollecting events at a later time and the chart can be used as evidence in an internal or external investigation.
Tip #2: You have to be proactive in coming up with strategies for how to cope with persistently offensive work environment, including deciding when it may be time to end your employment. You need to decide if you are going to file a complaint with your manager and/or HR staff, file an external complaint or take some other internal or external action.
TIP #3: If you should decide to leave employment, carefully examine the job market, your finances, and your options. If you are forced to resign your position, always try to leave a job on your own terms. It’s a tough job market, so it’s probably wise to make sure you having another job lined up before leaving. That assumes that your job isn’t so hostile that it’s taken a physical toll on you, such as high blood pressure (dizziness, seeing spots, etc.) or some other problem that might require you to act before you’ve found other employment.
TIP #4: If you stay at your job, do everything in your power to create a positive and peaceful environment. You can use music, photos/artwork, etc. to create a relaxed atmosphere in your office or cubicle. You can steal some moments of peace by taking a 5-10 minute walk outside of the office building. Or, you simply stand outside for a few minutes to purge the negative energy from the office.
Tip #5: Try making quick phone calls to friends and family throughout the day. Talk about something besides work. Or, meet up with a friend for lunch and talk about something other than your problems at work.
TIP #6: Focus on doing your job correctly. Don’t give your employer ammunition to use against you that will “justify” your continued mistreatment. Pay attention to details and proof your assignments. Don’t get into arguments with coworkers or managers that can be used to “prove” you allegedly can’t take criticism, are insubordinate, etc. Finally, make sure you follow all project rules/protocol and all of your company practices and procedures.
Tip #7: Don’t forget that exercise helps to relieve stress and tension. Try to work out in the morning or after work!
posted by S. Mary Wills at 9:54 AM
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