Introduction:
More than just an uncomfortable environment, toxicity carries with it serious and far-reaching consequences for those trapped under its weight. I speak from experience, having survived a debilitating situation of workplace retaliation and exclusion that stemmed from a senior leader’s objection to an HR claim of ageism.
Despite having been promoted within my management ranks, the latest new role was a facade. Instead of being afforded increased leadership responsibilities, I was instead completely sidelined. In short, I found myself relegated to basic administrative tasks to support a peer. To make the situation even worse, the situation reeked of age discrimination, which only served to alienate me even further.
This wasn’t merely a demotion in duties. It was a clear message coded in workplace retaliation and delivered with chilling precision. Allow me to present my experience, in hopes you may find some insights and tools for yourself.
Ramifications on Personal and Professional Wellbeing
Working hard to achieve another promotion, only to find myself shut out from any possible progression had profound and painful consequences. On a professional level, my career growth came to an abrupt and unintended full stop. Key projects, training opportunities and tasks meant to challenge and advance my skill set were replaced by small, mind-numbing busywork in administrative support of a peer. Opportunities to prove myself that had always been afforded to me vanished. I was left out of important meetings and planning discussions. My voice was silenced.
Standard procedure had always been to meet with my immediate supervisors quarterly, to review my performance appraisal in terms of personal and corporate goals. While I completed my online input quarterly, my manager never met with me, or added to my online performance appraisal. Interestingly, on my last day of work after being laid off, she kept insisting to close out the previous year’s appraisal. Suddenly, she had feedback to offer. I declined the opportunity. The need to preserve my mental wellbeing became paramount, as my work life started to feel like quicksand.
Following my departure from this employer, I would learn that what I had been experiencing for the past year actually had a name in the world of discrimination: Sidelining.
What is "Sidelining?"
Sidelining refers to an employer’s actions that focus on marginalizing an employee, to make that person feel inadequate, unwelcome or simply no longer needed. Here are some of the signs you may experience:
- Limited Career Growth: Being denied training opportunities or challenging tasks that were once frequently afforded to you.
It's Time for Change
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A Call to Action
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“Great leaders inspire; toxic leaders instill fear; know the difference.”