Episode 09: "Professionalism" is a dehumanizing concept.
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EPISODE GUEST: REBECCA WEAVER, FOUNDER & CEO OF HRUPRISE
“We are human beings, even when we’re at work. And we really have to be treated as such,” says Rebecca Weaver, Problem Performers host and Founder of HRuprise. On today’s episode, Rebecca discusses her personal experience with workplace dehumanization and explains how employers can do better.
Rebecca describes the experience of undergoing radiation treatment for cancer and being visibly emotionally distressed, while none of the technicians noticed. To these professionals, her treatment was just another part of their job. Rebecca relates this experience to HR and the relationship employers have with their employees. Too often, companies choose to emphasize productivity over humanity and label it as “professionalism.”
Tune into this week’s episode of Problem Performers with host Rebecca Weaver for a conversation about why “professionalism” is a dehumanizing concept. Learn how to improve your workplace culture by recognizing the humanity in others and not allowing the myth of “professionalism” to rule your work life.
QUOTES
“(During covid) companies taught us that they are perfectly capable of making life more sustainable for employees. Remote work? Perfectly functional. Commuting is totally unnecessary. I think about it now and I really do think how on earth did we used to do the commute five days a week?…in-person supervision is totally unnecessary.” (5:35-6:22)
“We’ve learned through (the experience of covid) that our careers are precarious, probably just as precarious as the companies that we work for. We saw whole sectors collapse due to an unexpected global event. And I think we’ve all learned how risky it is to tie our personal identity up with our jobs. Because those jobs can disappear. And they have.” (6:44-7:18)
“I think the real reason behind what we are calling the Great Resignation is that people are realizing they want meaning in their work. We want to be supported as people while we do our work. That includes being supported in our disabilities, parenthood, racial & gender identity, family lives, our career goals…Applauding frontline workers as essential is just lip service. What they really need is good pay, reasonable hours, respect, sustainability in their work lives. And while we’re at it, let’s forgive those student loans too.” (7:38-8:32)
“We all want to make sure that we’re devoting our lives to work that actually means something, for companies that see us as more than just a job description.” (8:35-8:47)
“And then they go, ‘OK, we’ll see you tomorrow.’ And I said, ‘Hold on a second. I just need to pause for a minute. I need all of you to pause with me for a moment. And I just need to share with you what this represents for me. What this entire experience represents for me. For me, this represents another assault on my body, in what has been a year of one after another after another. It feels incredibly vulnerable to lay here like this. And I think it’s really important for you to know that.’” (19:06-19:48)
“It is incredibly scary and feels like very high stakes for people at the bottom of a power structure to speak up and critique the people who are in charge. So when they do, listen. Don’t get defensive. Understand how much this person is putting themselves out there. And listen.” (21:17-21:47)
“Be that person for someone in your workplace. Be that ally who is attuned to the humanity of those around you. Be the reason that someone else breathes a sigh of relief.” (23:28-23:44)
“I want employers to understand that the default cultural structure for most workplaces is to erase people’s humanity. We make little or no space for emotions, extenuating circumstances or different ways of being. And historically, we’ve called this “professionalism.” But the truth is there’s no such thing as leaving it at the door. We are human beings, even when we’re at work. And we really have to be treated as such.” (24:16-24:52)
“If you are feeling dehumanized at work, or by your job, and you’re thinking, ‘It must be just me,’ it is almost certainly not just you…I want you to know that you absolutely deserve better.” (25:01-25:41)
LINKS
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TRANSCRIPT
COMING SOON!