Feeling Othered in the Workplace:

Othering is a social process of marginalization through which a person highly values their own group while denigrating and excluding anyone from a group different from theirs (Master Class, 2022).

In other words, individuals feel ostracized, rejected, and snubbed. 

Ladies, I don’t have to explain why feeling “othered” is not a good feeling and often leaves individuals leaving workspaces quicker than they intend to. 

      Imagine you enter a workspace hoping to stay there until retirement, and skirt skirt, here comes the “othering” committee. What was supposed to be a 10-year-plus assignment quickly becomes a two-week notice of leaving. 

Unfortunately, “othering” can sometimes be done unconsciously and consciously by others. 

                  For example, you may notice co-workers avoiding interactions with individuals of different backgrounds. 

You may also hear overly generalized statements that are often attached to negative connotations, such as individuals assigning positive qualities to individuals of certain backgrounds and not to others. 

                  You may even hear others say that people different from them could be more competent or proficient at specific programming on the job. Therefore, they may need “extra support.” 

And I will be transparent: sometimes, examples of “othering” are not as explicit as the ones above. 

       Honestly, othering feels like “Us vs. Them.”

And we have come to learn over the years that we are all created equal. Therefore, why do things like othering still happen in the workplace?

                  I am no genius, so I can’t explain the exact reasoning. But, I will let your imagination run wild. 

What I can tell you is the impact of how othering makes individuals feel.

                  Prejudice, bias, and discrimination all come at a detriment to the well-being of a company’s culture. 

                  It leads to more individuals leaving their jobs, feeling excluded, increases in symptoms associated with depression/anxiety/PTSD, and it leads to the dehumanization of individuals who are trying to make a living like everyone else. 

Maybe I am preaching to the choir, and maybe I am not. But I want to remind you that othering doesn’t only happen in Corporate America. 

                  Othering occurs in small businesses (i.e., restaurants, hair salons, nail shops, etc) start-ups, mom-and-pop shops, food corporations, and many other places. 

So, what do we do to stop it? There are many options. But I will share a few. 

Our World changes daily. All it takes is one person for a ripple effect to occur. 

                  So, what if you think they won’t care? Still, speak up for what you believe is right. 

Be open to the idea that your voice is as powerful as anyone else’s. 

                  If you’ve ever felt othered at a job or elsewhere, please know you’re not alone. 

Let me know in the comments what one way you would stop othering in the workplace is. 

   See you all next week! 

Peace and Prosperity, as always! 

References:

Masterclass. (2022). Othering Definition: How to Combat Othering in Your Daily Life. Masterclass. https://www.masterclass.com/articles/othering#2zqtznc5KJFAlH6Rlgu4kz

Good Additional Readings on the Topic:

Cherry, K. (2023). How Othering Contributes to Discrimination and Prejudice. Verywell Mind. https://www.verywellmind.com/what-is-othering-5084425