How To Deal With Unfair Treatment In The Workplace

How to deal with unfair treatment in the workplace usually comes down to one conversation with a manager, and how you open it changes what happens next.

Bring three things. A specific example with a date, not a general impression. The effect it had on your work, which is what a manager can act on. And what you are actually asking for, because a complaint with no request is difficult to resolve.

The framing that keeps the conversation open is asking about the reasoning rather than asserting the motive. Can you tell me how that decision was made? gets you information. You did that because of X puts the other person straight into defending themselves, and you rarely learn anything after that point.

If the answer does not stand up, you are in a stronger position than when you started, and you have it in their words.

The Fair Work Ombudsman covers workplace rights. This is general information rather than legal advice, and obligations vary by state and territory.

See Sentrient’s EEO training course and respect at work training.