The Consequences of Shunning People in the Workplace
Office politics is not something most employees think about, it just happens. Just like in school there are cliques and one or two co-workers that get ignored, or even picked on, by the others. Some people do not realize the possible side effects of shunning people in the workplace.
- Assistance. You may think you are avoiding the "weird guy" for a good reason at the time. Consider this scenario: you need help with a certain task and the "weird guy" is the only co-worker who is available to help you. Do you continue being snotty and not ask him? What about how you ignore the girl with the glasses and hair in her face? What if she was the only one who could help you, but refused because you and the others had ignored her for so long? Shunning and/or making fun of other people only ends up biting you on the backside.
- Potential boss. It does not pay to be mean or shun other people. You never know when you might meet up with one of them, only this time, the tables are turned. It can be very awkward to have that person you made fun of at work, to all of sudden be your new supervisor or boss.
- Self-esteem. You may not realize just deeply you can effect a person's self-esteem by ignoring them or picking on them. Think how you would feel if people did that to you, day after day. Human beings are social creatures by nature. To be shunned by the group can greatly impact a person's sense of belonging and self-worth.
Think about this: the guy you and your co-workers shun each day, all of the sudden does not show up to work one day. No big deal, right? No show the next day, or the next day, or the day after that. Then, after a week or so, your boss makes the announcement that "weird guy" passed away last week. How would you feel then? The point is not to guilt you into treating people better, the point is, think about the feelings of others. The example is dramatic, however it does happen.
- Snowball effect. This refers to the productivity at your workplace. Sometimes people get so busy ignoring and making fun of someone, that they forget to do their jobs. Before you know it, "stringy hair girl" is the only one that did her job and received praise for it. So, then you and your co-workers shun her for that (as if it was her fault), right? Your workplace can suffer in loss of productivity and morale simply due to everyone shunning one or two people.
Shunningpeople in the workplace does serve any purpose to anyone. It makes one or two people feel bad and disrupts the flow of the workplace. It makes more sense to just bite your tongue and get along with people while at work. You do not have to be best friends or hang out after work.
