I work for a very large tech company. I have a PhD in biochemistry. I joined this company because they were going to start a new initiative in the field of biology. When I was hired I was not told what I would be working on.
However, when I arrived at the company, I realized that the scientific idea was weak. The group also has a bigger problem: My employer hires exclusively white men and people of dubious experience for management positions. All of the managers had far less experience, let alone relevant experience, than me and many other people of color. I see it as racism. I invested three years in this company and provided a lot of valuable experience that no one else in the company had.
My manager expressed praise to me only in very mild terms and only in personal meetings. He never expressed any appreciation in an open forum or in a formal manner. He denied me a promotion, or even formal appreciation in the form of awards. I discussed my situation with my manager’s manager. This person commented that I have no leadership qualities and at another point he commented that I seem rude and that my English is poor. None of these observations are accurate.
However, this person’s comments left me completely distressed. I felt like a failure and like I shouldn’t expect anything good from my life. I have tried speaking to multiple senior leaders in the group and they seem unable to help me or change the situation, although they acknowledge several issues such as lack of relevant experience among managers. I’m debating whether to simply resign from this position or stay here until I find a better position.
It may seem very simple, but there are issues involved such as financial and mental health. Therefore, I would like to receive expert advice to help me make a decision or narrow down the factors that can help me decide my future course of action. Thanks so much for your help.
An unhappy employee
Related: My brothers co-own $1.9 million of our mother’s bank and brokerage accounts. She now has Alzheimer’s. How can I remedy this?
“We spend 40 hours a week at work and it should be a psychologically safe space for all workers. This is how we pay for food, shelter and other essential needs, so an unsafe, chaotic or unstable workplace impacts many other aspects of our lives.”
MarketWatch illustration
Dear Unhappy,
Take your time and keep the powder dry.
Your first priority is to take action to manage your mental health. The second is to document any relevant conversations you have with colleagues and managers, especially those that appear to show bias against your race, color, or national origin, as well as any retaliatory actions that may result from your intervention. Record dates, times and what is said, using a personal notebook or a device not provided by work, as these industry experts recommend. We spend 40 hours a week at work and it should be a psychologically safe space for all workers. It’s how we pay for food, shelter and other essential needs, so an unsafe, chaotic or unstable workplace impacts many other aspects of our lives.
Put together a team to support you in this process: a therapist, trusted friends, and even an employment lawyer. Contacting HR can be a double-edged sword: HR is there to provide a work environment free from toxic and racist behavior, but they are primarily there to protect the company. However, you have the law on your side. Title VII of the Civil Rights Act protects against discrimination based on race; color; religion; sex, including pregnancy, sexual orientation and gender identity; national origin; age, for employees aged 40 or over; disability; and genetic information. It does not cover political speech or political affiliation. If you talk to HR, document that conversation as well.
Your next step may include pursuing a federal complaint with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission. This is necessary before you can file a lawsuit. But remember: this is a chapter in your life, and you may walk through one door – perhaps a neon red one that spells out the word “exit” – and through another door that leads to a more fulfilling and rewarding work environment. It’s all too easy to believe that your job represents your entire life, especially when you’ve worked so hard to reach a particular level of seniority. But everyone deserves respect at work, whether it’s a janitor, middle management or a senior-level executive.
Microaggressions and gaslighting
Microaggressions can include being excluded from meetings you would normally attend, being excluded from projects or even after-work social engagements, or receiving comments about your English proficiency. The latter, in particular, is notable as it seems related to your ethnic background and you deserve to work in an environment where colleagues treat you with respect. The act of documenting microaggressions and submitting your resume for new jobs I assure you will help you rebuild your self-esteem and allow you to take the next step.
The U.S. economy added 353,000 new jobs in January – economists polled by the Wall Street Journal expected an increase of 185,000 – and the unemployment rate remained at 3.7%; it hasn’t been this low since the late 1960s. The job growth outlook for biochemists and biophysicists over the next decade is 7%, higher than the average growth of 3% for all jobs. The latest surveys of job opportunities and job turnover have shown a sharp decline, which probably means that there are not as many attractive or well-paid jobs available.
But even in a strong job market, it’s always best to have a place to launch. If possible, you’ll want to avoid adding financial pressure to your emotional and professional stress. You’ve taken the biggest step of all: You recognize your workplace as structurally and fundamentally dysfunctional. It’s not your job to fix every workplace where you encounter such problems. But it’s your job – for your mental health and your career – to recognize if and when a company is an unhealthy place to work.
You’ve made the decision that this job is not a long-term prospect. You are no longer enlightened by your company. Gaslighters tend to present themselves as people who are there to help or support you, but in reality they are doing the opposite: undermining your confidence with subtle jabs and, when your back is turned, ensuring that you are prevented from progressing despite having demonstrated the requirements. talent, skill and initiative. That doesn’t mean you have to leave today or tomorrow, but you can get the ball rolling now.
You can email The Moneyist with any financial and ethical questions at qfottrell@marketwatch.com and follow Quentin Fottrell on X, the platform formerly known as Twitter.
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