How To Advocate For Yourself At Work With Professionalism And Respect

Self-advocacy is an important personal and professional skill, but it does not come to everyone easily. It might be challenging to advocate for yourself at work for several reasons. However, there are also many reasons that self-advocacy may be necessary, and most of us will have to advocate for ourselves in the workplace or similar settings at some point in our lives. 

So, how can you advocate for yourself at work and have your needs met? Let's discuss how to engage in self-advocacy with professionalism and respect to help you succeed.

Why does self-advocacy matter?

Employees say that financial stress impacts their productivity and strains their mental health. This suggests that workplace stress is a severe problem in the United States, and change is necessary to support workers and businesses nationwide. Self-advocacy can help reduce stress. Although self-care is crucial when it comes to stress management, there are times when you may need to adjust other parts of your life, too, which is where self-advocacy at work or in other areas of life, such as in educational, social, and even familial settings, may come in.

Examples of self-advocacy in the workplace 

Self-advocacy refers to verbalizing your needs, standing up for yourself, and doing what is required on your behalf to ensure your needs are met. Here are a few examples of situations where you may need to exercise self-advocacy:

• You may need to self-advocate to obtain a raise or equal pay. 
• If you have a disability or condition, you may need to self-advocate for accommodations in the workplace. Examples may include accessibility and an appropriate workplace environment for people with disabilities. 
• Unfortunately, workplace bullying is a relatively common concern among adults. Statistics indicate that 30% of workers have experienced bullying directly, and the number is even higher for some populations, such as those who work remotely. You may need to self-advocate by bringing information about what's happening to your boss or another appropriate party, such as someone in your human resources department.
• You may have a scheduling need to self-advocate for. For example, if you work in retail, your employer may frequently schedule you to close late at night and open early the following day, which could be something you want or need to change for your health and well-being.

Of course, these aren't the only circumstances in which self-advocacy may be necessary, and tips for self-advocacy can also apply to other workplace issues or needs.

Advocating for yourself with professionalism and respect

Self-advocacy isn't selfish or unprofessional. When someone entertains the idea of asking for a need to be met, it's common to worry that they will be rejected. However, it can help to reframe this as an opportunity to gain something instead of viewing the potential for rejection alone. With that said, here are five tips on how to advocate for yourself at work professionally and respectfully:

Identify your needs

First and foremost, be aware that, in many cases, your employer will only know what you need if you communicate it. They're unlikely to initiate conversations surrounding subjects like a pay raise or a specific schedule change unless you do. Identify your particular needs and think about the conditions under which you are unwilling to compromise.

Acknowledge the ways that getting your needs met will benefit your employer

A raise, for example, may allow you to dedicate more time to a particular task or your position in general. It may reduce stress, therefore allowing you to work more efficiently. The same could be true for accommodation or mitigating a situation where you're mistreated by another employee (such as workplace bullying).

Plan your approach

It can be helpful to enter this conversation with a basic idea of what you will say, at the very least. The most compelling way to approach self-advocacy at work is to use language that reveals that you're aware of your company's needs, are dedicated to your work, and are willing to collaborate. It shows that you want to work with your company, organization, and superiors to address both the needs of the workplace and your own needs.

If applicable, find sources and information to back yourself up

Depending on the specific ask you to make when you self-advocate, what this looks like may vary substantially. Suppose you seek accommodation for a disability, for example. In that case, it may include legal information. If you ask for a raise, it may consist of information about other higher-pay offers you've gotten, the amount that others with your position and level of experience make, etc.

Show gratitude and confidence

Gratitude and confidence both matter when it comes to advocating for yourself. Understand the value you bring to your workplace. Be aware of your strengths and what you bring to the table. Feel free to acknowledge any potential areas of improvement you might have either. It can help to make a list of workplace accomplishments for yourself to raise awareness of those accomplishments to your employer and let them know that this will only further boost what you can do. Thank your employer for taking the time to speak with you and walk into the meeting with the confidence that this is what you need and deserve.

What if my workplace can't meet my needs?

If your workplace can't meet a reasonable need or refuses to do so, there are options to explore. You may apply for and pursue a new opportunity elsewhere or explore ways to approach the need differently. For example, suppose your employer turns down your initial attempt to self-advocate. In that case, you may broach another conversation with your employer and suggest alternative ways to work with them to meet your needs and those of the company. 

While you work to find a way to meet your needs, it can be valuable to have someone to talk to. A mental health professional can guide you toward improvements in self-advocacy or any other you find challenging. You can roleplay workplace conversations with a therapist to practice self-advocacy before approaching the conversation in real life. You may also find it beneficial to discuss ways to manage workplace stress or other similar issues with a therapist.

Online therapy for confidence in advocacy

Online therapy is a convenient and cost-effective way to get the quality mental health care you need from the safety of your home or anywhere else with a reliable internet connection. The plans offered by BetterHelp are often more affordable than traditional, face-to-face therapy is without insurance, and research shows that online therapy is just as effective as in-person therapy services for a wide range of mental health concerns. Since there's no need to commute to an in-person therapy office or center, it's perfect for busy professionals or anyone with a full schedule. 

Well over 35,000 independent licensed therapists work with clients through the BetterHelp platform, and BetterHelp has continued to improve throughout the years. When you sign up, you'll take a short questionnaire that'll help us match you with a provider who meets your preferences and areas of concern; and if you need to, you can stop therapy services or switch to a new therapist who offers care through the platform at any point in time.

If you are ready to start, click here to join BetterHelp, or read our website’s FAQ and therapist reviews for more information. No matter how you find a therapist to work with, you deserve to receive the quality care you need.