Demanding anything, especially if there is a chance a rejection that could materially impact your well-being, earning potential or social comforts can be a tough ask indeed. When you are in the situation yourself, asking for workplace rights can feel both overwhelming and risky.
This can be especially acute when dealing with working conditions. Often we will endure things in our workplaces without speaking up. A recent example is an aircraft manufacturer and its controversies, and their public (sometimes disastrously lethal) failures, with engineers form the company now coming out to suggest they knew of some of the issues but were afraid to speak out.
Demanding better standards from your workplace is not always an easy task, even if you know you are entitled to them. Going without employment or being ostracized in the workplace is never easy, which is why many of us fall in line even if we shouldn’t. Let’s discuss a few ways you can avoid this happening to you.
Understand Your Contract
If you have a contract (and you should have one), then there’s a decent chance it has certain protections, standards, or obligations that your employer needs to meet. Understanding your contract can empower you to ask for things that you’re already entitled to. If you don’t know what’s in it, you can’t advocate for yourself when it matters most. Also, if changes need to be made, knowing your contract will give you a clear view of where you stand.
Document, Document, Document
If something is off in your workplace – no matter if it’s an unsafe working condition, unrealistic deadlines, or even harassment – it’s important to report it and to keep a record. It’s easy for memory to be spotty especially if you’re under stress, and it’s easy for others to dismiss issues if there’s no clear documentation. Keeping a log is a good idea.
This can also apply to conversations. If you’ve had a chat with your boss about an issue and nothing is being done, you could think about following up with an email summarizing what was discussed. This way, you have a timeline and focus.
Consult Any Unions or Other Protections
If you’re in an industry where unions are still active, or if you have access to any form of legal protection (like medical malpractice insurance in healthcare), use them. These protections are there for a reason, and they can give you the support you need that could help you sustain yourself in the meantime, even if it’s just financially. Don’t be afraid to reach out and get advice, or band together with other staff to get started if they’ve raised the same issues. You may find that you have more support than you’ve noticed. From there you may gain access to free independent legal advice, for example before you taking a claim to a local tribunal.
With this advice, we hope you can more easily demand standards from your workplace. You don’t need to ask for special treatment – just a fair, clean, capable and healthy place to work.
Demanding anything, especially if there is a chance a rejection that could materially impact your well-being, earning potential or social comforts can be a tough ask indeed. When you are in the situation yourself, asking for workplace rights can feel both overwhelming and risky.
This can be especially acute when dealing with working conditions. Often we will endure things in our workplaces without speaking up. A recent example is an aircraft manufacturer and its controversies, and their public (sometimes disastrously lethal) failures, with engineers form the company now coming out to suggest they knew of some of the issues but were afraid to speak out.
Demanding better standards from your workplace is not always an easy task, even if you know you are entitled to them. Going without employment or being ostracized in the workplace is never easy, which is why many of us fall in line even if we shouldn’t. Let’s discuss a few ways you can avoid this happening to you.
Understand Your Contract
If you have a contract (and you should have one), then there’s a decent chance it has certain protections, standards, or obligations that your employer needs to meet. Understanding your contract can empower you to ask for things that you’re already entitled to. If you don’t know what’s in it, you can’t advocate for yourself when it matters most. Also, if changes need to be made, knowing your contract will give you a clear view of where you stand.
Document, Document, Document
If something is off in your workplace – no matter if it’s an unsafe working condition, unrealistic deadlines, or even harassment – it’s important to report it and to keep a record. It’s easy for memory to be spotty especially if you’re under stress, and it’s easy for others to dismiss issues if there’s no clear documentation. Keeping a log is a good idea.
This can also apply to conversations. If you’ve had a chat with your boss about an issue and nothing is being done, you could think about following up with an email summarizing what was discussed. This way, you have a timeline and focus.
Consult Any Unions or Other Protections
If you’re in an industry where unions are still active, or if you have access to any form of legal protection (like medical malpractice insurance in healthcare), use them. These protections are there for a reason, and they can give you the support you need that could help you sustain yourself in the meantime, even if it’s just financially. Don’t be afraid to reach out and get advice, or band together with other staff to get started if they’ve raised the same issues. You may find that you have more support than you’ve noticed. From there you may gain access to free independent legal advice, for example before you taking a claim to a local tribunal.
With this advice, we hope you can more easily demand standards from your workplace. You don’t need to ask for special treatment – just a fair, clean, capable and healthy place to work.
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