Social Pressure at Work
Work has always been a place of socializing. For decades, interacting with coworkers has been a major part of managing a job. Social pressure can be an issue for certain people. This week, I want to explore this subject and the impact it has on people.
As we know, during the Covid shutdown, most companies went remote. It all felt so unpredictable and strange in those early days and so many craved that interaction again. It all depended on where you worked, but years passed and most companies went back to the office. Our society was faced with adults having to relearn in-person work again.
Adults experience social pressure just like all age groups. Socializing doesn’t always come easy for those who struggle with mental health and/or are neurodivergent. These people usually experienced a lot of adversity and judgment which can carry over at work. Some may get overstimulated more easily, leading to social difficulties. Stigma remains an issue that can cause these people to hold back from their peers.
I feel that navigating social pressure in the workplace has gotten both easier and harder since the pandemic. From what I’ve been observing, “normal” never really resumed to what it used to be. People seem to be less inclined to judge you for opting out of social activities. However, as much as we don’t want to admit it, Covid changed our societal landscape. We are faced with having to continue to learn how to interact with the new social temperament. We have to continue to understand how those unpredictable and scary days changed people. On top of that, the pandemic couldn’t have come at a worse time socially. All age groups have been impacted by technology, regardless of their neurotypes.
I would like to see leaders and HR professionals have greater awareness of this. Social activities should never be forced. If your company promotes socialization, having a more inclusive culture will help everyone feel safe to participate. Assuming your employees don’t need these tools because they are adults is problematic. Workplace bullying is a real problem. By putting the proper measures in place, your team will feel safer which leads to increased productivity. These preventive measures can also decrease the chances of bigger problems arising in your organization.
Let’s continue to be more attuned to the impact of this. Understanding your people is key to navigating through this. Leaders, HR, and employees need to continue to learn the way socialization happens in the post-Covid and tech-driven society.
We are now taking clients for our inclusion consulting services! If you feel like this is something your organization or someone else needs, reach out to me at gfico.empower@gmail.com to learn more about what we offer. Let’s work together for positive change!
