Posted on 06/26/2006 by avid reader
Viewed: 323 times
What ever happened to respect in the workplace?
Today I watched as a member of management berated an employee in a meeting loudly asking her in front of everybody in attendance, "Are you stupid? What part of 'we're not going that route' did you NOT UNDERSTAND?" She tried to explain herself and he interrupted her by imitating someone with a speech impedement! I am ashamed to admit I did not step up and defend her, but at the time I was simply too shocked.
Then, at lunch today I witnessed one employee shove past another employee in the stairwell because the person was apparently walking too slow up the stairs. The slower person was overweight and having a hard time going up the stairs and the skinnier man just pushed past him and flew up without even saying excuse me!
Events like these seem to be an increasing theme in both my workplace and in the city in which I live (a major city). What gives? Are we becoming this self-centered and irreverent? I am getting frustrated!
POST A COMMENTM. in Wisconsin(06/26/2006)
I agree — take it to HR. But be careful, because HR is often just a tool that provides coverup for bad bosses.
the cynic(06/26/2006)
Yeah, this sounds a little extreme, even for a big city. Yes, our society is bad, but it shouldn't have to be that bad. The lady should be able to report this.
Dharmadee(06/27/2006)
Same exact thing happened to me, I reported it and it got swept under the rug. So, of course, things got worse. I have now filed 2 separate lawsuits...we'll see what happens. One of the attorneys at the government agency I contacted said that companies today are getting away with more and more-because they are "arrogant" and assume they can do anything they want. Then, no one calls them on it, because we are too afraid, or we don't want to be thought of a a whiner, or whatever. So, it keeps happenng. The nice people get stomped on, and the bullies feel like they can do whatever they want.
freedomringer(06/27/2006)
Avid Reader, from a scientific point of view and a few people will disagree with me, but purely from an ecological standpoint, we are animals. The human animal has the ability to manipulate his or her environment, yet we are still at the mercy of our biological nature. Some people are able to transcend the carnal and others have not yet evolved to be able to do so. This problem will only get worse as our population rises and resources become scarce like good jobs. It is sad and frustrating to watch. Just remember, you do not have to take part in carnal behaviour, it just makes you feel isolated and alone.
avid reader(06/27/2006)
You know, this is an interesting point, freedomringer. Perhaps when I say respect where did you go? I have made a mistake assuming that it was ever there in the first place. I just think we should behave better than this. And I think that it's a choice each of us can make. And I do believe in behavior being contagious, both good and bad. SO I guess I'll just continue to do my part!
the cynic(06/27/2006)
I think workplaces have always been corrupt and devoid of respect, but that problem just seems to be getting worse. As our society loses its capacity for politeness, the workplace follows. I partially blame the age of machines--we just don't rely heavily on human beings anymore so we treat them as disposable garbage. Sux.
vanila ginger(06/27/2006)
I agree with the animal analogy and I agree with the poster who referenced the age of machines as well. Some of us DO act like the work world is a jungle, and approach it as such. Those people will always have the same interaction with others and their work becuase of their perception. Most of us are not in an industry where we have to rely on relationship building/maintenence skills to keep our jobs, but I can assure you that those jobs are out there. They're are found in more creative fields (TV, advertising, fashion, art, design) where who you know or who you are closer to can get you a contract long before the end product or result materializes. The great majority of people never realize there's any other world than sit behind a desk, take a paycheck. I worked in TV for 5 years before I came into finance, and managed to land a few SWEET gigs because I was friends with someone who ended up at a TV station in a major market. He brought me in - no questions asked. Nothing was ever easier.
freedomringer(06/27/2006)
We are also to blame for it as well, you are correct avid reader! Watch television for any length of time and you will see human monkeys. I am refering to human monkeys as to those people who can not rise above their own carnal influence. I am not judging them because that would make me more like them. However I do observe these animals and try to remind myself where this animal is coming from, what might their motivation be for their bad behavior. Are there just evil humans? The answer to that is YES! Look at Hitler, Pol Pot, and I am sure there will be more infamous names to list here. The human animal is capable of the most heinous, destructable behaviors, and yet they are also capable of great compassionate acts. Who knows! I am still trying to figure out who I am. It is all just blind chaos, blind justice and blind injustice!
burnt toast(06/27/2006)
We, as a society (at least the American kind) seem to be getting increasingly jaded to simple acts of kindess, respect or courtesy. I am glad to see programs like "Shalom the Home" and TLC's life lessons series. I still have hope!
Spencer(06/27/2006)
Now I know I'm gonna surprise the pants of some of you here so brace yourselves. Ya ready? Ok. I AGREE! I noticed the same thing. I'll be the first to admit I am an animal by nature, but hey man, we have brains we should use them.
HaveADamnNiceDay(06/30/2006)
I agree with Spencer. We ARE animals, but we're different from them because we have all the brains. We should use them. I think that alone in a way separates us.
vanilla ginger (06/26/2006)
The first incident is a lawsuit begging to happen. The woman should go DIRECTLY to HR and file a complaint. What an ASS. The team I work on has it's share of disrespect, but unfortunately, it's from these people's manager. She's 63 and basically dismisses anyone who has not been in our industry for the same amount of time she has. Talk about disrespect!
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