Feeling Marginalized At Work? Here’s What You Can Do.

Do you feel like you’re always getting the cold shoulder at work? Do you get passed over for opportunities in favor of colleagues who seem to be less qualified and experienced? You may think that discrimination is to blame. However, employees can become marginalized or ostracized for various reasons – some of which you may be contributing to. And some of which you can control.

If you find yourself working for different teams or in different companies and are always feeling marginalized or excluded, you might be part of the problem. If you feel you’re being sidelined at work, it’s important to be self-reflective. Put yourself in the shoes of your colleagues or manager and try and understand how your actions might be contributing to their behavior.

Do you talk too much?

Being talkative and social is necessary for developing good working relationships. However, if you’re known as the “office chatterbox” you might be talking too much. If people are constantly looking at their watches during your conversations or you notice them trying to avoid you, you might be distracting and unproductive. Colleagues can’t afford to be distracted from their work and will start avoiding you if they associate you with lost productivity. Try keeping office conversations task-focused and to the point.

Do you focus on the negative?

Life can get tough sometimes but bringing negative energy and stories to the office regularly is a downer. Your colleagues only have so much empathy. They have their own problems and they choose to check them at the door. Remind yourself that positivity is contagious and will help you connect with your colleagues. If you tend to be hard on yourself, try and remember that you are your own biggest critic. Chances are that your colleagues think you’re a big asset to the team. People want to interact and collaborate with others who are positive influencers and contributors.

Do you sing your own praises?

Being successful and happy is wonderful, but both negativity and positivity should be expressed in moderation. If you’ve just bought a new car, that’s exciting and you should share that. However, if telling your co-workers about your extravagant purchases is a weekly occurrence, that could breed resentment. You may become known as “cocky” or “arrogant” and colleagues may start to avoid you. Instead of telling people about yourself, get in the habit of asking them what’s new in their lives.

Do you avoid social situations?

Gatherings outside of work are important for getting to know your colleagues. Understandably, not everyone is as comfortable in social settings as others. If you’re shy or an introvert, you don’t have to go to every social event, but you do have to participate in some. If you don’t participate, your colleagues will think you’re uninterested in them. Start by selecting an event that is the most approachable and closest to your comfort zone. You can also make a point to regularly engage colleagues in conversation. Once you get to know people, it will become easier to be social.

If you’re feeling marginalized at work, sometimes you may hold the solution. If you notice that people don’t engage with you, regardless of the team or work setting, be introspective and see what you can work on in yourself. However, if you think you’re being marginalized based on your race, ethnicity, gender, language, or ability, that is discrimination and you should report it through the proper channels.