Equality enforcer
Not all superheroes wear capes. Some promote non-discrimination and a workplace free from violence and harassment.
What does it mean?
It means standing up against unfair treatment, violence, and harassment, and promoting dignity, respect, and equality for all in the workplace.
What can I do?
You can speak out when you see discrimination, support colleagues who are affected, and help create a culture where everyone is treated fairly.
Discover stories of people who stood up through their actions or wished they had done it.
Pooja, 28 years old, India
The challenge
I was a new and young employee at an organisation when I was bullied by a senior male colleague. He humiliated me in front of the entire office and said
You will never be able to progress in your career in this organisation.
The inaction
I stayed silent. I felt humiliated and angry... I even burst out crying later that day, but didn't do anything. I really didn't know what I could do. He was a senior colleague and I had joined the organisation 6 months ago, fresh out of my Masters.
The impact
I resigned from the organisation (for other reasons), but since they have learnt a lot about managing difficult relationships at work. If I were in that situation today, I would speak up and let the person know that he cannot speak to colleagues that way, specially younger colleagues where there are power dynamics at play.
Adam, 23 years old, Jordan
The challenge
One of the biggest challenges I faced at work was discrimination based on age. As a younger employee, I was often misunderstood or dismissed by older coworkers, which made me feel excluded and disrespected.
The action
I calmly explained to my manager how I felt and shared examples of why I felt discriminated against and excluded.
The impact
I explained to my coworker that we could work together — that I really wanted to learn from his experience and assist him with this part of the project. Thankfully, he agreed to start mentoring me.
Mariana, 30 years old, Bolivia
The challenge
A supervisor implied to me that I could only be promoted at work in exchange for a sexual favour. This is a direct form of harassment. I felt humiliated, uncomfortable, trapped.
The inaction
At the time, I did not report the incident. I felt fear, shame, and anger, so I simply resigned. I left with a deep sense of injustice, both in my body and in my labour rights. To this day, I deeply regret not having raised my voice in that moment.
The impact
I now have the strength to support other people who have suffered from this type of harassment in the world of work, and I have supported several cases that have ended with justice for those who felt violated.
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