How is it that we as women can juggle a career, children, a spouse, and our own checkbooks but we are still too afraid to set boundaries in the workplace? Why are we still so afraid to speak up for ourselves and defend the very rights our ancestors fought and died for? Women have only had the right to vote within the last 60 years, and yet how far have we really come? Believe me ladies, I write this article with compassion and sincerity, however; I also want to expose our biggest weak point. Just how independent and liberated are you?
I have worked in various industries during my career search which has allowed me to study behavior patterns of men and women in the workplace, including my own. I noticed that women, including myself, still allow harassment and abuse by their male coworkers. Surprised? You shouldn’t be we are all guilty of it. You know that cute coworker who notices you have gained weight, or that boss who yells and cusses at you because he can’t find the email he filed, or my favorite, the guy that hits you to get your attention. This is all abuse ladies, and in 2010 I am here to tell you it’s OUR fault! Yes, I said it, and let me repeat it…it’s OUR fault. Usually our business practices reflect our personal ones; we are not hardwired like a man, which means separating business and personal affairs takes work. The truth is most of us are afraid to set boundaries at work, with our children, with our partners, and even with ourselves. And we wonder why we have so much chaos in our lives? Ladies, WE are the creators of life and that includes an unhappy and unsuccessful one!
I have taken plenty of verbal and physical abuse in the workplace, and believe me filing paperwork takes time and money most of us do not have, but we can still fight back. Our low self esteem and fears are the reasons we still make less money than men, and why we are still fighting for equality. We are head of households, politicians, CEO’s, business owners, mothers, wives, friends, sisters and human beings. With power like this why not tell that coworker you will not tolerate over familiarization and to keep his opinions to himself? And that boss that yells at you, excuse yourself for the day and ask that he take some time to calm down. And for the abuser? Remind him that according to the law, that is considered assault and not only will you quit, but you will press criminal charges. Men have evolved to respect our boundaries, if we set them and it has to start with us teaching them how to treat us. If you allow them to abuse you and treat you like a whore, they will.
Women buy over 80% of all consumer goods and the same goes for positions held by women, which proves that men aren’t keeping us from equality; we are. I recently observed abuse amongst a coworker and instead of not saying anything I chose to speak up, but who effective was my voice when she chose not to use one? How can we make changes if only a few of us are willing to stand up for ourselves? Only we can draw a line in the sand, respect ourselves and liberate ourselves just as the women before us had intended. Remember ladies, we are free to be equal but it cost the lives of thousands of women to give it to us. I am woman hear me ROAR!!!!