It happens again; another hard-working introvert I know, “forced out” of their job because they keep to themselves.
It’s infuriating to experience or hear this, especially when the companies preach “we are diversity & we care about mental health”.
They tout this as nothing more than a marketing gesture, as they casually bully, glass ceiling, gossip or fire introverted colleagues.
This discrimination impacts black employees more than other races; I’ve unfortunately noticed this in my social group, and social media posts by other African/Caribbean employees, this harassment is commonplace and we often feel pushed out of a company.
This treatment has created an unwritten office rule “be more extroverted or you’ll be shunned; as your work performance is of secondary importance to us”.
It infuriates me that there are several books on “helping introverts”, in corporate environments, when the reverse needs to be pushed; extroverts need to be educated in accepting different personality types and not to force their personalities on every else.
Introverts particularly black males are constantly told: we are “up ourselves, antisocial, not a team player, not approachable or my personal favourite intimidating”. Imagine making all these assumptions based on the fact that someone is introverted, people who make these assumptions ARE THE PROBLEM.
You cannot preach diversity whilst Team fit and psychometric testing are basically glorified forms of discrimination; how can you scream “diversity” whilst trying to ensure the candidates basically think & act the same, but with different races and genders.
Companies are so extrovert focused, that they don’t realise how it impacts introverts; with introverts constantly having to justify their personality and not their work, the impact this has on their mental health is immeasurable.
There is also no consideration for people who suffer from social anxiety in corporate environments, as someone who previously suffered from this, I am speaking from a first hand account.
Yes, I did try the whole “tell people” recommendation which only made things worse, never again!
There is a sub issue, people who make work their life, are the worse at hearing no, many of us don’t want to do Halloween, Christmas party, birthday’s, afterwork drinks, team building events or barbeques. These are activities are not for everyone, wanting to come in and work to earn, is not a crime.
This does not mean introverts can’t work with other people, it’s the opposite, we can, but extroverts almost cry baby attitude to those who just want to punch in and punch out; is to take things personally and start with the office bitching.
It’s clear, extroverts are a menace to introverts; extroverts create toxic working environments for introverts; most extroverts need to bounce off people for energy, while introverts generate energy from solitude.
It is of no surprise why: introverts, social anxiety sufferers or black staff, have a desire to work from home; where they can do the job they are paid to do, without having to worry about corporate harassment.
Links:
Image from:
Brainthrough 