We don’t have to endure everything that’s wrong with our job. "Bringing up a problem at work to your boss or HR can feel intimidating, but approaching it tactfully increases the chances of being taken seriously," Keith Spencer, career expert at FlexJobs, a leading platform for finding remote jobs, told Bored Panda.
When doing this, he explained, "It’s important to clearly explain the issue and how it’s impacting your work or the organization. Try to maintain your professionalism, presenting the issue calmly and objectively and, if possible, suggesting a potential solution."
"Afterwards, it’s helpful to follow up with a brief written summary in order to document the conversation," Spencer added.
"If the issue isn't addressed in a timely way, you can politely follow up or even consider escalating the issue through the proper channels, while keeping a record of your efforts."
However, there's only so much you can do in some organizations. A survey from the American Psychological Association (APA) revealed that 19% of workers say their workplace is very or at least somewhat toxic, and those who reported being part of one were more than three times as likely to have said they have experienced harm to their mental health at work than those who report a healthy workplace (52% vs. 15%).
By work type, those in customer/client/patient service jobs (31%) were more likely than manual laborers (23%) and office workers (22%) to report experiencing verbal abuse at work.
But 1 in 10 manual laborers (12%) reported that someone within their organization displayed physical violence toward them, whereas about 1 in 20 office workers and customer/client/patient service workers reported the same (5%, 6%, respectively).
Discrimination is also a serious issue, with more than 1 in 5 (22%) saying they've witnessed it within their current workplace and 15% reporting they've experienced it themselves.
Additionally, more than a quarter (28%) reported having witnessed negative slights, insults, or jokes that devalued the identity or negated the thoughts and feelings of others based on their identity or background, and nearly one-fifth (19%) of workers said they had been the target of these behaviors.
"If you’re feeling stuck, overlooked, or constantly drained at work, it may be time to consider looking for a new job," said career expert Keith Spencer.
"Signs include a lack of growth opportunities, feeling undervalued, or being overwhelmed by an unsustainable workload. You might also notice a shift in company culture, an increase in micromanagement, or simply a persistent sense of dread about going to work."
