Fighting Discrimination in the Workplace

Even in these enlightened times, unfortunately discrimination still exists in the workplace. A recent letter I received brings my point home. 

Dear Deborah:

I work with a project manager and four other people. We all work together on various projects and I am a female and the other three teammates are male. One of my teammates and I do the majority of the work and the other two are lazy and rely on the two of us to do most of the work. Recently, our project manager has given raises to the four males in the group and I received nothing. My evaluations have been very good and I know for a fact that two of my teammates received below average evaluations. I feel as if I am being discriminated against. What is the best way to handle it?

 

Dear Ashley:

It does indeed sound as if you were treated unfairly. But before you overact and start making accusations, you need to get your ducks in a row and get organized.

• In preparation, make sure all of your projects and progress are documented, along with comments and outcomes. This is very important to show that you have not only kept up with, but have surpassed, some of your co-workers.
• Make an appointment with your project manager and have your documentation with you, ready and organized. You do not want to go in overly emotional and cry from the heart. You want to be ready, have everything documented, and come from a position of strength.
• Consider that he may have other plans for you and be open to what he has to say. Perhaps he has another project for you and a raise in the future. There could be various scenarios, but you will not know for sure until you have a conversation.
• After listening to what he has to say, if you still feel you have been treated unfairly, let him know. State your case by explaining that you have better evaluations and that you feel you work harder and smarter that your colleagues and should be compensated accordingly. Make it clear that you feel you deserve incentives to continue working harder. Listen clearly to his responses and take notes.
• If your outcome is still unsatisfactory, you should explain that you feel your only recourse at this point is to go to HR and explain that you were the only one that did not receive a raise in spite of your better recommendations. You can only assume that you have been discriminated against.

 

Please feel free to send questions to [email protected]. I will answer them in my weekly column.

Deborah O’Connor is a social strategist and founder and president of Successful Image LLC with offices in Columbia and Atlanta. She offers training and seminars on image management, workplace etiquette, and social skills necessary to succeed in life professionally and personally. Contact at: [email protected]  www.successfulimage.biz