As we go about our professional lives, it’s easy for words to slip out of our mouths that can come across as disrespectful or dismissive to others. Perhaps you haven’t yet realized that certain well-meaning phrases may sound dismissive or disrespectful to others. Whether it’s a well-meant comment that sounds judgmental or casual feedback that comes across as condescending, knowing which language to avoid can make a big difference. In this list, we review 10 common workplace phrases that can be more off-putting than you realize – and why being mindful of these expressions can help to cultivate a more respectful & inclusive workplace.
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“That’s Not How We Do Things Here”
This phrase can make the hearer feel they are neither appreciated nor welcome. It implies there is only one ‘right’ way to solve a particular problem. In fact, it can limit creativity in the workplace. If people are made to believe their input is valued – they won’t shy away from sharing new ideas. This will help you get a new solution to a problem and also make the members of your team feel valued.
“You’re Lucky To Have A Job”
This saying often comes across as downright unfriendly or disrespectful, especially in a tough job market. It makes employees feel that they should accept poor treatment and be grateful for the job they have. Employees should be treated with respect, no matter their position. Instead of using this phrase, it’s better to recognize the hard work of employees and help them with the problems they face.
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“You’re Being Too Emotional”
When someone says this phrase, it feels very hurtful. It implies that their feelings don’t matter or aren’t real. Feelings are a part of human life, and showing them is as natural as breathing. It’s better to listen to someone rather than say something like this. Responding with a statement like ‘I understand why you feel that way’ makes the other person feel understood. It also creates a safe environment where everyone will feel safe to express themselves in any way they want.
“I’ll Handle This Since You’re Clearly Overwhelmed”
This phrase can make the other person feel incapable of dealing with their workload. It can make them feel like a failure, or it can come across as unhelpfully dismissive of the task itself. So rather than making this comment, offer support without taking charge of the work. If you trust colleagues to deal with their own workloads, then you help build their confidence in themselves and in each other — which is important for good teamwork.
“You Need To Toughen Up”
This phrase can make people feel ashamed for having emotions or for being vulnerable. It is telling a person that emotions are a weakness. This isn’t true. Everyone has different ways to handle stress, tension, and problems. Encouraging a person to ‘check your emotions at the door’ can create an unhealthy environment. It’s simpler to build healthy relationships at work if your employees feel comfortable sharing how they feel.
“I Don’t Want To Hear Any Excuses”
When you give this instruction to your team, it instantly kills all productive discussions about various obstacles they may face. It sends the message that their reasons for struggling don’t matter. If you can set up a place where it is safe to share your worries, it can say ‘we are in this together’. Listening to others’ experiences can lead to better problem-solving and stronger connections among colleagues.
“Why Don’t You Just…?”
This phrase is patronizing, as it’s insinuating that the listener hasn’t thought the situation through. It can be frustrating if the person saying it hasn’t listened to all of your thinking before dispensing this tidbit of apparently helpful advice. A more supportive question to ask is: ‘Have you considered trying …?’
“I’m Not A Babysitter”
This phrase can make colleagues feel like they are not trusted to complete tasks on their own. The statement implies that workers need close supervision and management. It is better to trust co-workers to take responsibility for their work. Treating people like adults – not children – can encourage employees’ growth and accountability for their jobs.
“You’re Too Senior For That”
This expression can make someone feel like they aren’t needed and can also alienate them from working with others, especially if the task is something they are typically in charge of. It is the duty of everyone in a workplace to pull their weight and this applies to every job. No one person is above another or below another when it comes to producing results.
“It’s Not Personal; It’s Just Business”
Often, this expression shows a focus on business decisions and overlooks any human concern in decision making. Using this phrase can make an employee feel utterly demotivated & treated like a non-person. While business decisions are important – treating co-workers with humanity trumps everything. By acknowledging the emotional impact of decisions, we can build trust and strengthen workplace relationships.
Disclaimer: This list is solely the author’s opinion based on research and publicly available information.
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