🤐 The Censorship Gag

🫣 As an employment advocate, I can’t scroll through LinkedIn without seeing posts celebrating the 'courage' required to have those 'difficult conversations' at work. But in my experience, the issue is not usually a lack of courage - especially for vulnerable employees getting bullied or gaslit

😶 The real challenge is the power dynamics an employee is forced to navigate in the workplace. This imbalance can make it incredibly difficult for employees to voice their needs, ask for reasonable accommodations, or even raise concerns without fearing that doing so will jeopardise their job security or threaten retaliation. 

😔 I have recently seen two clients who had their booked annual leave withdrawn at the last minute, as a power flex by their Employers. Other examples are an annual raise being removed, a promotion they’re promised being denied or a veiled reference that they 'need to move to another environment.' These situations shift the power balance, and suddenly, the idea of 'courage' becomes the least of their concerns. It is then more about survival

😬 I often see vulnerable employees, those dealing with these complex power dynamics, get stuck in what I call a 'Censorship Cage.' They feel isolated, disempowered, and frustrated, trapped between the need to speak up and the fear of what might happen if they do. This can be mentally and physically draining, leading to burnout and serious health consequences. The weight of keeping quiet, of not rocking the boat, can take a significant toll

🤒 When working with clients who are in this situation, here are a few strategies I use:

Encourage changes in their environment. For example, suggesting that they adjust their work-from-home schedule to help limit exposure to the individuals or situations causing stress. Less face-to-face time means less emotional strain

Support them in building a network. Trusted colleagues can provide a sounding board, advice, and even some degree of protection when navigating complex workplace dynamics. It’s important they don’t feel alone in this process

Help them adopt a more formal approach to communication. Whether it’s email or written documentation, adopting a professional tone and formal communication style can help clients set clear boundaries, protect themselves, and maintain a level of emotional distance from difficult conversations

Encourage the use of sick days or personal leave. Sometimes, the best thing they can do is take a step back, both physically and emotionally, to regain their strength. A break can give them space to reset and return to work feeling more grounded

The reality is, in many workplace situations, there are things that cannot be said, problems that cannot be directly addressed. But there are still ways to protect your client’s well-being while navigating these complexities. It is essential to speak up when it is safe to do so, but always with care. Above all, my client’s health and safety is the priority.