There are a lot of things that you need to do when running a business. Keeping employees productive and happy must be at the top of your list.
Workplace exploitation can have catastrophic effects on a company, both financially and in terms of staff well-being. In 2020 alone, workplace misconduct cost American businesses a whopping $20 billion, pointing to the immediate financial dangers of unscrupulous or exploitative workplaces. When workers feel disrespected, motivation is lost, productivity is reduced, and the chances of expensive legal battles increase. In addition, nearly 40% of workers are bullied at work, and research shows that one workplace bully can cost an organization up to $100,000 in turnover, absenteeism, and lost productivity annually. Creating a level playing field and cooperative working environment is not only ethical—it is vital to maintaining operational stability and long-term profitability.
Aside from financial loss, abuse of workers at the workplace also negatively influences worker health, thus damaging business performance. Studies indicate that when employees are subjected to injustice in the workplace, their risk of contracting severe diseases like coronary disease, asthma, diabetes, and arthritis increases by 35% to 55%. Long-term conditions incur more medical costs, increased sick leave, and reduced productivity. Moreover, the overall U.S. employee turnover rate per year is around 13.5%, but it accelerates significantly in abusive work environments, which leads to repeated hiring costs and workflow disruptions. High turnover also damages a company’s reputation to the point of difficulty in bringing quality employees on board. In the end, companies that fail to end workplace exploitation risk not only financial instability but also a demoralized, less productive workforce.
Exploiting employees in the workplace is a serious problem that spans numerous industries. It can occur in many different ways, such as unjust wages, work that is too demanding, too few or no benefits at all, discrimination, and harassment. This makes it hard to get the most from them.
Identifying workplace exploitation is essential to keeping an industry fair and keeping companies compliant with employment laws. Employees must understand when they are being exploited. Read here: Five signs your boss is taking advantage of you.
Recognizing Workplace Exploitation
Workplace exploitation happens when employers take advantage of employees by breaking labor laws, making the workplace unsafe, or placing unreasonable demands on employees. Some of the most common signs that an employee is being exploited include any of the following:
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- Working off the clock
- Unjust compensation
- Unreasonable workload
- Absence of benefits
- Discrimination and harassment
- Retaliation for complaints
When to Speak Up
Workers who find themselves being exploited, or who see it happening to other employees, should be swift and critical in speaking up about it. Read here: Five signs your boss is taking advantage of you. Here are a few examples of when you should call attention to workplace exploitation:
When Labor Laws Are Broken
Employees have a legal right to report their employers when labor laws are broken. That goes for safety violations, wage theft, and other rule-bending behaviors.
When Physical or Mental Health Could Be at Risk
An oversized or stressful workload can negatively affect the health and well-being of employees. If this is happening in any job, workers must speak up and let someone know before the situation develops into a serious matter.
When Discriminatory or Harassing Practices Occur
Taking a stand against discriminatory practices and harassment can contribute to a safer, more inclusive workplace.
When Employees’ Security Is Threatened Unfairly
If an employer unjustly threatens to terminate, demote, or reduce an employee’s hours, that employee should challenge those actions through the appropriate channels.
How to Speak Up Effectively
Coming up with a plan to counter workplace exploitation demands careful thinking and planning. Here are some ideas to consider, and steps to take, if you find yourself in such a situation.
- Document Everything: Keep records of every exploitative act, like email correspondence, and every relevant detail of your life at work, like your schedule and pay stubs.
- Reach out to HR or Management: If it is safe for you to do so, raise your concerns internally through human resources or a supervisor you trust.
- Seek Support: Understand the laws that govern labor and the rights of employees, so you can argue knowledgeably when something isn’t being followed.
- File a Complaint: Reach out to colleagues, legal experts, or labor unions to bolster your argument.
- Lodge an Official Complaint: If internal resolutions do not succeed, consider lodging a formal complaint with the labor board or other relevant authorities.
Read Here: Five Signs Your Boss Is Taking Advantage of You
Workplace exploitation is an all-too-common problem that demands attention and action. Workers need to be aware of when they or their fellow employees are being taken advantage of and to know when and how to sound the alarm with authority. Standing up means not just asserting your individual space, but also asserting a claim to a workplace culture that respects employees.
Tagline: Unfair treatment at work leads to high turnover, financial losses, and serious health risks—protect your business and employees.