Workplace differences

Have you sometimes felt left out just because you are a certain way, at workplace?

We all want to feel included, accepted and respected for who we are, but workplace ethics come in the way, and you have to alter yourself to take that pay check home. Is this normal, or does it even affect the workplace environment? Absolutely yes! Workplace equality is very crucial for a safe and enjoyable workplace environment. Our mental peace reciprocates in the quality of work we bring to the table and directly affects the productivity of the company. for instance if you don't feel replete for included in the team you work with, you wouldn't feel the liberty to go discuss on your opinions or difference of opinions for improvising the quality of work produced to the clients.

Equality doesn't only mean including people of different race, but also people of different religions, personality, sexuality, age groups, different stages of work experience, languages, beliefs, disability and much more. Companies hire people of different walks of life, but once in their team expect to abide by their work culture, and spiral their employees with thinking the same, this in turn will affect voicing out their opinion next time. The feeling of inclusion despite their skin colour, personality, looks, beliefs, or anything that might affect their individuality should be vital in every training session of the companies employees. Treating everyone equal and respectful regardless of the hierarchy they work in or where they come from will give a sense of safety at workplace, stop from workplace harassment and make us feel excited to be back at work everyday. Robbing an individual of their individuality and differences must be considered crime, but this can only stop if we all come together. Acceptance of a firm that has strong beliefs of inclusivity with their team must be supported by their customer/vendors or people they have business deals with. For instance Envirotech Services deals with manpower and giving an inclusive team to the client doesn't always work out in our favour, which will force us to bend our morals and provide the client with restrictions when it comes to workforce.

Our managing director, Ms. Kavitha Seetharaman spoke of the difficulties she faces with this on her day to day dealings with the vendors and clients that is associated with us, during the meet organised by JLL at Bangalore. Being a woman entrepreneur herself it wasn't an easy path in FM especially during her initial days. Her gender played a dominant role in competing with other companies in the industry, but that didn't stop her, being the first woman owned Facility Management company, she's come a long way.

Being a woman entrepreneur herself it wasn't an easy path in FM especially during her initial days.

Why an inclusive team would benefit the team?

New talents just because they do not have the same years in experience as the others, doesn't mean that they aren't as effective or talented. Or being really old than the other team-mates shouldn't stop you from keeping them included saying "their old books". Everyone comes with their own individuality and mindset in a work firm, each one will fit the puzzle and benefit us in some aspect of business. Newer technologies or advancements in the business world cane be learnt by the most experienced of staff int he team, and how things have changed in the last few years can be studied with a senior level team player. Leave all the judgements behind at home, and come to work just as you used to go to school or college. Remember when nothing mattered when going to educate yourself, you've had friends from all walks of life, and each would have taught you varies lessons that you carry forward. That helped in holding your character now, and doing so at workplace makes a huge difference. Not taking an interns opinion seriously just because they do not have the same years in experience as you, would only make you the clown, as they would be updated on the latest trends than you. Do not box yourself with the standards of what the society has told us is moral or not. Judge a person based on their skills, and learning capacity rather that their life choices.

Being gay, bisexual, trans, black, yellow, young, old, introvert, extrovert, talkative, silent, team leader, team player, hierarchy, years of experience, inexperienced, graduate, self taught or anything other than what's listed should be the grounds of judgment. Rather judge a person based on their interest in learning and building the company together. An inclusive team will be progressive than a boxed one.

Mid week thoughts