Respect VS. Harassment - Part 2
Respect is the only acceptable behavior at work, we don’t have to agree with everyone or even like everyone but we HAVE to respect everyone.
Harassment and stereotyping can be stopped, it takes one person to speak against disrespect to shift the conversation- Speak up without putting anyone down:
A - Assume that whoever makes the joke or the remark has good intent and doesn’t mean to offend anyone, explain the impact to them as: “I know you mean well but it hurts” approach, no need to blame them, shame them or insult them
B - Ask a non-confrontational question as: What do you mean? Or Sorry what was that? To open up a conversation in a non-blaming way, ask open ended question, keep a friendly tone of voice not sarcastic or accusing
C - Interrupt and redirect give people the chance to change directions, if they insist on their stand or walk away then you don’t stay silent, follow the guidelines of your company to fight stereotyping and harassment
D - Sometimes a person assumes one attribute and stereotyping to a whole group:
- 1.1. Broaden the behavior to Universal human behavior
- 1.2. Narrow the focus to one individual; it breaks clumping
E - Or just tell them to stop and take a stand.
If you hurt someone’s feelings apologize and don’t repeat it – It is about RESPECT; No blame, no guilt no conflict; to create and sustain respect in the workplace, respect differences. Then, over time, we can attempt to understand and appreciate who people are, and what they value.
Your voice will make a difference, make yourself heard respectfully – just one person speaking up can inspire others to do the same and stop the negativity at the workplace on an individual level. Promoting respect for diversity in the workplace and fighting harassment and stereotyping, is a long-ranging, multi-faceted goal for companies, which must plan to create a systemic overhaul among employees to foster genuine sentiments, sensitivity and positive teambuilding.
So take a stand and start dealing with your own bias, Diversity starts at home.
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