In The Community
Work takes up a huge chunk of our lives, so it’s essential to make sure that we’re in the right place. It’s not just about advancing our careers and growing as professionals, it’s also about being respected and appreciated as human beings. For Latinos in the U.S., it can be difficult to find all that in one place. While times have certainly changed, unconscious bias and discrimination are still a part of the Latino workplace experience. The thing is, it can be difficult to decide to move on to a better place. Especially when you doubt if that uncomfortable feeling you’re experiencing is even valid. To help with that, there are 8 signs it could be time to find a new job:
There’s little to no cultural inclusivity in the workplace
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A lack of cultural inclusivity is one of the most common reasons why Latinos feel like there’s something off about their workplace. When a work environment or corporate culture doesn’t embrace diversity or inclusivity, it can quickly make you feel like an outsider. If you feel isolated and are constantly experiencing microaggressions, limited opportunities, and a lack of support no matter how hard you try, it could be time to think about an exit plan.
Growth opportunities are limited for you
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Limited growth opportunities will keep your career advancement in the toilet. If you feel like you’ve hit the ceiling in your current role and there’s nowhere else to go from there, it may be time to explore other offers. Sometimes, moving on is just what makes sense if you feel like you’ve already achieved everything there was to achieve. If you’re purposefully held back or passed over for reasons that have nothing to do with your performance, that’s also a good reason to explore new offers. If you’re not growing or aren’t allowed to grow, you need to find a place where you can. Otherwise, burnout won’t be too far behind.
You’re experiencing unequal pay and treatment
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Racial and gender pay gaps are still very much a problem and it affects all people of color, including Latinos. For example, Latinas only make 57 cents for every dollar a man makes, and that wage gap varies from state to state. If you’re experiencing that wage gap and Latino employees aren’t fairly compensated compared to their counterparts, you need to take action. Discriminatory practices are illegal and you deserve better. While tackling the wage gap requires a systematic approach, finding workplaces that value employees equally is a step in the right direction for your personal career.
There’s little to no representation in leadership
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Representation matters in the workplace, especially in leadership roles. If you don't see Latino professionals in leadership positions or if there’s a lack of diversity in decision-making roles, that’s an indicator there may be limited opportunities for advancement for you. If you’re Latino and your work environment isn’t inclusive, the odds will likely be stacked against you.
You constantly feel undervalued
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You know what you’re worth as an employee and the value you bring to the table as a dedicated, productive team player. If you don’t feel like your employers do, that’s a big issue. If your efforts constantly go unrecognized and you feel overlooked most of the time, it could be time to look for a role where your contributions do matter. Being undervalued can take a toll on your motivation, which affects performance and ultimately keeps you from reaching your goals. You should feel appreciated in the workplace and it’s not about needing external validation, it’s about what’s right.
You can’t seem to find a good work-life balance
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We all know that striking a balance between work and personal life is key for overall well-being. If your current job demands way more than the job position entails or it affects your ability to maintain good health, you will get burned out. Your workplace and employers should support employee well-being for everyone, not just you. Working excessive hours all the time and dealing with limited flexibility will eventually take its toll on you. If you’re not allowed to create and maintain that work-life balance, it could be time to look for a better fit.
Your values aren’t aligned
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If your job responsibilities or company practices conflict with your personal values or ethical beliefs, you probably feel disconnected and uncomfortable a lot of the time. We have values and a moral compass for a reason. When we’re forced to act against that, everything feels wrong. If that’s how you’re feeling in your current workplace, searching for opportunities that do align with your values will bring you peace. Your career shouldn’t make you feel like you’re acting against your beliefs. It’s just not sustainable in the long term!
You constantly feel unfulfilled
Photo by Magnet.me on UnsplashLast but not least, the most telling sign that it could be time to move on to a new job is a constant feeling of unfulfillment or dissatisfaction with your job. If you find yourself dreading work and you’re never excited about anything you have to do, this is a clear indicator you’re just not aligned with your current job. Whether you’re ready for a career shift or your workplace is just not the right fit, start thinking about what needs to change and get ready to take the plunge. Transitions can be scary, but be brave and smart, and you’ll find where you should be.
The Rise of Moving Incentives for Remote Workers: Would You Move if a Community Paid You To?
The beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic marked a pivotal moment for the entire world. It’s crucial to acknowledge the severe hardship and grief that the pandemic caused. It’s also important to recognize how it forced the world to adapt and reimagine how work could be done.
Workplaces that had never even considered allowing their employees to work from home were now forced to figure it out. Employees who hadn’t seriously thought about working freelance or starting their own businesses were now doing exactly that. Remote work unlocked a new level of freedom for millions of Americans and people around the world.
The ability for people to live in places that truly align with their lifestyles and preferences has given rise not only to the flexibility to experiment with living in different communities but also to the rise of the digital nomad.
In 2021, the number of digital nomads, those who don’t live in any one place full-time, grew by 42%. It’s estimated that 15.5 million Americans are living this lifestyle, and the growth is steadily increasing. In 2022, an estimated 16.9 million Americans went nomad, resulting in an increase of 131% since the pre-pandemic years.
It’s no wonder then that, with this level of flexibility, communities across the U.S. are competing to attract remote workers through incentives like money, vouchers, and working spaces.
Get Paid to Move: The Rise of Travel Incentives
Government incentives to attract new business to states and local communities are nothing new. Governments have been doling out tax dollars to corporations for decades. Because of the rise in remote work, governments have only recently started targeting incentive dollars toward individuals.
This makes total sense. After all, it’s people who make the world go round and keep the economy flush with activity. However, doing your own research to figure out what cities were offering incentives was time-consuming and difficult. Enter MakeMyMove, the first and only marketing platform designed to help communities recruit new residents.
By making the process as easy and straightforward as possible, MakeMyMove has helped thousands of remote workers find towns that align with their lifestyle preferences while also putting places that some might not have otherwise considered on their radars. Muncie, Indiana anyone?
Technology Harnessed
The purpose of MakeMyMove is twofold: to help communities harness the potential of remote workers and to help remote workers find their happy place. As remote work becomes even more available and popular than it already is, many Americans are looking to relocate to places that offer a better or different quality of life. A lot of people are realizing that when a 9 to 5 doesn’t tie you to a place, there’s no reason not to seek a community that’s better aligned with their preferences.
MakeMyMove makes that transition as easy as possible, helping both remote workers and communities in an easy, seamless way.
Most people agree that moving is one of the most stressful life events. Few people actually look forward to packing, coordinating, shipping (if needed), dealing with movers, begging friends for help, or bribing them with pizza and beer, and the list goes on. Even the nomad is faced with tough decisions.
MakeMyMove simplifies the decision to relocate because it removes some of the stress that comes from the risk of financial loss. The process for remote workers looking for their happy place is as straightforward as it gets. The first step is browsing the “Offers” and “Communities” tab on the website to check out all available options and incentives. People can also complete their profiles and receive notifications with the best options for them.
Once users find a community they’re interested in, they can either express interest by hitting the heart button or apply for relocation incentives if they’re sure that’s the option for them. This is a helpful step because it lets communities know the interests of potential new residents.
If users are selected by the relocation program they choose, they’re notified and receive instructions about the next steps. The only thing left to do after that is accept the offer, reserve a spot, and confirm their move with the MakeMyMove team, which provides assistance every step of the way. It’s all pretty easy peasy.
The Future Is in Your Hands
Tens of millions of people in the U.S. are now free to move wherever they want, empowered by remote work. This has led to the development of diverse, vibrant, and economically strong communities across the country. Why not try West Memphis or Bloomington? After all, life is short, and home is always where you make it.
We've all been there. The workplace can be a minefield of social cues, under-the-radar biases, and those sneaky "small" remarks that aren't so small after all - they're microaggressions. These little zingers can sting, especially when they're aimed at our identity, including our race or ethnicity. This time, we're pulling back the curtain on microaggressions faced by Latino people at work. We'll break it down with real-life examples, explore why these seemingly insignificant slights matter, and give you some tools to tackle this head-on.
Examples of Microaggressions
Here are some common microaggressions that Latino folks might encounter at the workplace:
- Ethnic Stereotyping: "I bet you're a good dancer." “You don't look Latina." Colleagues or superiors may make comments or jokes that perpetuate stereotypes about Latino people. Examples include assuming all Latinos are good at dancing, suggesting that a Latino colleague must be "fiery" or "passionate," or associating Latinos only with manual labor positions.
- Language Assumptions: "Your English is very good." "Say something in Spanish for me." There is often an assumption that all Latinos speak Spanish or have a 'Latin accent'. Conversely, Latinos who don't speak Spanish might be seen as 'less authentic'.
- Assumptions about Legal Status: "So, where are you really from?" "Do you have a green card?" It's surprising how often Latino people get asked about their immigration status or where they're 'really' from. As if their nationality somehow needs further validation.
Why We Should Care
You might be thinking, "So what? These are just tiny slights. Why the fuss?" Microaggressions, although seemingly subtle or minor, can have a considerable impact on the recipients. These impacts can include:
- Psychological Effects: Chronic exposure to microaggressions can lead to feelings of isolation, anxiety, and depression. It can also lead to lower self-esteem and self-efficacy.
- Performance and Job Satisfaction: Ever tried to focus on work when you're stressed or upset? Not so easy, right? The stress and discomfort resulting from microaggressions can lead to decreased job satisfaction, lower performance, and higher turnover rates among Latino employees.
- Organizational Culture: No one wants to work in a toxic environment, and a company's reputation can take a serious hit if it's known for microaggressions. A high prevalence of microaggressions can negatively impact the organization's culture, making it less inclusive and causing damage to its reputation.
- Reduced Diversity: If unchecked, microaggressions can deter talented individuals from diverse backgrounds from joining or staying in an organization, reducing the diversity that drives innovation and growth.
How to Deal With Microaggressions
The good news? There are ways to address this issue. As an organization or employer, here are some of the steps you can take:
- Awareness and Education: The first step towards addressing microaggressions is recognizing their existence and understanding their impacts. Workshops, seminars, or diversity training sessions can help with this.
- Encourage Open Conversations: Provide safe spaces for employees to discuss incidents of microaggressions, how they feel, and how they would like the situations to be handled.
- Establish and Enforce Policies: Organizations need clear, strict policies against all forms of microaggressions. These policies should include reporting mechanisms and fair consequences for those who violate the policies.
- Support Affected Employees: Provide resources and support to employees who experience microaggressions. This could include counseling services, mediation, or reassurances of their value and belonging within the organization.
- Promote Inclusive Leadership: Encourage leaders to set the tone for inclusive behavior. They should model respect for all individuals and cultures, demonstrate understanding and empathy, and take action when they witness microaggressions.
Dealing with microaggressions as an individual can be tricky. It requires a combination of self-care, assertive communication, and strategies to create change. Here are some tips:
- Recognize and Validate Your Feelings: Understand that it's okay to be upset by microaggressions. They can be hurtful and demeaning. Don't dismiss your feelings or let others trivialize your experiences.
- Assertive Communication: If you feel safe and comfortable doing so, address the microaggression directly with the person who committed it. They may not even be aware that their comment or action was offensive.
- Educate Others: Use instances of microaggressions as teaching moments, if you feel up to it. Inform the person about what a microaggression is and why their comment or behavior is inappropriate. Remember, you're not obligated to educate others, but it can sometimes be a powerful tool for change.
- Report the Incidents: If the microaggressions persist, consider reporting them to a supervisor, HR, or another appropriate entity within your organization. Be prepared to provide specific examples and express your concerns clearly.
- Advocate for Change: Push for workplace policies that address microaggressions and support diversity, inclusion, and respect. This could mean advocating for diversity and sensitivity training, creating safe spaces for discussions about microaggressions, or contributing to the development of fair reporting and resolution procedures.
Microaggressions might seem like small stuff, but they're a big deal. By learning to recognize and address them, we can create a more respectful and inclusive work environment for everyone. Remember, it's not just about avoiding the paper cuts - it's about fostering a workplace where everyone feels valued and respected. And that, my friends, is a win-win for all.