WorkplaceWoes 7

Firstly, be absolutely okay with it. We will get into the language of exclusion in some other note but calling someone "sensitive" is just a very sophisticated way of asking someone to be okay with whatever is being extended their way.

Now- lets look at it in a more structured manner. Navigating the workplace can be tricky, especially when it comes to figuring out what's okay and what's not. The line between acceptable behavior and harassment keeps shifting, thanks to our diverse backgrounds and evolving social norms. So, it’s clear that everyone’s got a different take on what's offensive and what's just harmless fun.

The main question is-why the line?

Cultural background and personal history play a big role here. What might seem normal in one culture could be a big no-no in another. Plus, if someone has faced discrimination or bullying before, they’re naturally going to be more sensitive to certain behaviors. And let's not forget our job roles – someone in HR might have stricter boundaries compared to someone in a more relaxed, creative role. All of us are a product of a very unique conditioning- we are bound to perceive things very subjectively.

I recently did a jamboard session with a team to see what they think counts as harassment- and this is something that I will advise every company to ask as a question to their team members. Afterall, the answers have to come from them and not an external person. People like me are there to facilitate only. Anyway, the responses from this session were all over the place – from comments on appearance and racial slurs to inappropriate physical contact. This really hit home how personal and varied our perceptions are and how important it is to understand and respect each other's boundaries.

As we can see the area is too vast- but some sense and sensitbility can prevail to see and even draw a line.

But, how do you draw the line? Start by setting clear expectations and having open conversations with your team. Make sure everyone knows what's okay and what’s not through training and policies. And be consistent – treat everyone the same when it comes to respecting boundaries.

And, how do you see the line? Just take a moment to consider the lines that others have drawn. How do you see and respect their boundaries? Understanding that everyone’s threshold is different is key. Just as you want your boundaries respected, it's crucial to recognize and honor the boundaries your colleagues have set.

More on this part later though.

As always, I write because I MUST.

Please feel free to comment, agree, disagree, or contradict my words. There is a lot of respect for everyone's experience and learnings here. Would love to exchange a few thoughts with anyone who wishes to do so.