Dave’s View: Critic column

How to overcome unfair treatment from management or co-workers

Document every negative encounter

• Detail each instance of unfair treatment by management
• Focus on facts rather than emotions. A company will use that against you
• Dates and time of unfair treatment.
• Gather evidence such as emails, documents

Address the Issue Directly

• Ask for a private meeting with your manager to discuss your complaints
• Be calm when talking to management. Any irrational behavior will be used against you
• Listen to the managers perspective about their actions and honestly try to understand their position.
• Send a follow up email to the supervisor to summarize your conversation with them and the understanding you gained from the discussion. This protects you against claims that you are lying.

Escalate the Issue if needed.

• If it becomes clear that the supervisor does not respect your view, escalate your complaint to the HR department immediately!
• Follow company procedures for your concerns to ensure you are not directed to another person to solve the issue.
• If you are not satisfied with HRs answers then consider going to a higher level of management.

Consider Legal Advice

• Consult with an attorney who specializes in workplace misconduct.
• You will gain more knowledge and understand your rights better.

Going up against management can be a scary thing for employees. You have to take into consideration what happens if you are retaliated and lose your job? Workers will put up with unfair practices by managers because a job pays great and there aren’t any suitable alternatives near their location. Understand that the individual manager is privileged to be in that position and you as workers have a right to remove that cancer from the midst just by speaking up for your rights.  Then workers who report a manager or another co-worker for inappropriate behavior can often face ridicule from their peers because of the social structure created by unfair management practices. To report unfair labor practices contact by clicking link or calling the number.

• National Labor Relations Board or phone 1-844-762-6572
• Equal Employment Opportunity Commission or phone 1-800-669-4000
• OSHA or phone 1-800-321-6742

If you work in the automotive industry and suspect the quality of inspection does not meet industry standards contact the NHTSA 1-888-327-4236. Hours of operation Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. ET.