Giving and Gaining Respect at Work

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Because many people spend as much time with their co-workers as they do with their friends and families, building a positive work atmosphere is a goal every employee should work toward. The key to a positive environment is mutual respect between every employee, from frontline staff to management. The following tips will help you earn your co-workers' respect and encourage it in others.

Maintaining a positive and respectful atmosphere at work can be a challenge when faced with negative factors like a bad commute or work-related stress. Invest in your own attitude and actions so you can gain and give respect in the workplace and:

• Choose to have a positive outlook. Like one bad apple, one bad attitude can spoil the rest. Be contagious in your enthusiasm. Make the decision to enjoy work and find others to share your positive attitude.
• Avoid the gossip mill. This is the best place to begin if you want to create a hostile and unhealthy workplace. Gossip and negativity are toxic to the morale of your team and hurtful to its individual members. Respect your co-workers by refusing to take part in water cooler discussions and you will earn their respect in return.
• Show care and compassion. As the expression goes, you'll catch more flies with honey than vinegar. Co-workers with negative attitudes may have problems or issues that you are unaware of, so don't be quick to judge. Focus on showing your concern and empathy rather than resentment or hostility and you might just be surprised by the response you get.
• Keep cool in conflict. When facing conflict, remember your goal is to achieve what you set out to accomplish. Your objective should be to make progress, not to 'win.'
• Brush it off. When you are faced with a grumpy boss, a rude client or a frozen computer screen, brush it off and move forward. Don't let small setbacks ruin your day or even an hour of your time.
• Toot your team's horn. When a project goes well, share your results with others. Get excited about what you have accomplished and what others have accomplished as well. Give credit where credit is due and you will earn the respect and the gratitude of your colleagues.
• Manage your stress. Take a break, take a deep breath or go for a walk. Taking breaks increases productivity and decreases stress. If you need to, find someone to cover you so you're able to take a few minutes for a morning and afternoon break.
• Have a calm commute. Make your commute a positive time. If you're taking public transport, read, write or listen to music you enjoy. If it is an option, leave a little early so you can take the more scenic route to work. A calm commute creates a calmer outlook, setting the right tone for the rest of your day.

Manager-related issues are why many people search for a new job. While both employees and employers have a responsibility to contribute to a healthy workplace, you can set the example by:

• Giving positive feedback to employees
• Being a good listener
• Demonstrating respect for your employees
• Focusing on output, not hours
• Being consistent

Taking these simple steps can make a world of difference to your team and the environment you share. A supportive employer is one that employees respect, seek to emulate and want to work alongside because they create a healthy and positive workplace environment.

One of the greatest threats to a positive working environment and employees' emotional health is workplace bullying and harassment. Although workplace bullying has received some media attention recently, it goes largely undetected and unreported. Bullying in the workplace includes:

• Verbal abuse
• Intentionally excluding and isolating employees
• Intentionally changing work rotations to inconvenience particular employees
• Intentionally withholding information vital to effective work performance

• Race
• Age
• Religious beliefs
• Color
• Place of origin
• Gender
• Mental or physical ability
• Ancestry
• Marital status
• Source of income
• Family status of that person or of any other person

Actions associated with harassment include: pinching, patting, leering, unwanted e-mails, posters, pin-ups, cursing, taunts, etc.

• Keep a record of when and where the bullying took place
• Discuss the matter with Human Resources, your manager or another people leader, and;
• Formally report it in writing to the powers that be.

Though serious threats to a healthy and respectful workplace such as bullying and harassment may not be a part of your workplace, there is always room to improve. The best place to start is with you. Evaluate the role you play in contributing to the office environment and start small. Implement the steps above and witness the difference it makes in your outlook and in the people around you.