We want to avoid stress as best we can. In our high-stakes world, that isn’t always possible. This is especially true in the workplace. In our effort to avoid stress, sometimes we don’t advocate for ourselves the ways we should.
This is a mistake! The saying, “what you allow is what will continue”, is true. You may think that advocating for yourself – setting boundaries – will cause more stress, but the opposite is true.
In fact, those who set clear boundaries and approach situations at work with confidence and self-respect are happier, more successful people. They aren’t seen as self-centered, rigid or entitled. They are seen as successful, strong-willed, and centered. They are seen as leaders.
So, how do you begin advocating for yourself when you’ve had no experience? It’s easy. Setting a few clear boundaries and exercising your rights is as simple as taking that first step. Here are a few ways in which you can advocate your way to success at work.
Don’t Allow Disrespect
This seems a simple one, but many of us fall short. Someone is rude to you in the workplace. They speak down to you as though you’re a child or a fool. In the past, you might have swallowed it with a smile and carried on.
Someone who advocates for themselves will, politely and calmly, call out the behavior. “Please do not be rude.” Keep your request short and sweet and avoid emotion or being rude yourself. Also avoid “you”, or accusing language, which only causes defensiveness.
In many cases, rude people are trying to get a rise, or projecting their own stress onto another. For these people, often ignoring, deflecting with humor, or “killing with kindness” is the way to go. For extreme cases such as bullying, unfair treatment, or genuine nastiness, it may be time to speak to a supervisor or boss.
Know Your Rights
Too many workers and employees, regardless of position, don’t know their rights. Or, they know them but don’t advocate for them. Always look out for yourself on the job, for several reasons:
Firstly, nobody will look out for you but you. Secondly, the advocating you do for yourself may trickle down and benefit others. Thirdly, if you don’t honor your rights at work, it can result in bigger issues down the line.
Knowing your rights at work can be as simple as making sure you get all the breaks you’re allotted in a shift. It can mean making sure the boss honors those vacation days or paternity leave. It can be holding your employer accountable when you get hurt at work.
If your rights are being trampled, speak calmly to a supervisor about how to rectify the situation. Tell them what you need to happen. For mild instances, likely it will be rectified easily.
For extreme situations, like harassment or injury, you may need to consider seeking worker’s compensation lawyers, Rosenfield Law; contacting a local employment office; speaking to HR. All of these are good ways to advocate for yourself.
Hold Yourself Accountable
Advocating is all about self-improvement, too. You can’t hold others to a high standard and not yourself. Act honorably at work. Treat others with kindness. Delegate fairly. Accept your share when mistakes happen. Follow safety procedures. Abide by the rules. Work hard.
Advocating for yourself will become easy with some practice. It’s all about knowing your rights, behaving honorably and holding yourself and others to a high standard of respect.