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Exploit is a fairly strong word, and it has a variety of meanings. In the workplace, it essentially refers to a person or organization that takes advantage of an employee for their own personal gain or glory. This is not uncommon in the workplace, as people can blur the lines between supervision and exploitation without much recourse. Oftentimes, people are too eager to maintain their employment to complain or make an issue of things. Still, there are often signs when you are being exploited and sometimes there are things that must be done.

I WOULD LIKE TO THANK ALL THE LITTLE PEOPLE

One sign of exploitation is when someone takes credit for someone else's work. This often happens in a supervisor-subordinate relationship and it can manifest itself when the supervisor is praised for the work or innovation created by the subordinate. The honorable manager will share some or all of the credit either public or privately. On the flip side, the exploiting manager will take advantage of the opportunity and make it appear that they were the one who orchestrated the victory.

COULD YOU COME IN MY OFFICE? I WOULD LIKE TO MAKE A VEILED THREAT

Another sign that are being exploited is when a manager or a company creates an atmosphere where employees do not feel safe, even if they are performing well. Sometimes a manager will talk about budget cuts, layoffs, and demotions in order to motivate people to work extra hard and ensure their vocational security. Sometimes these discussions are justified because the company really is in trouble. However, it is not uncommon for a supervisor to exploit employees through management by fear.

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Still another sign that you are being exploited is when you are asked to work more than other people at the same level. Sometimes managers use this technique to punish an employee or because they think that they can get away with taking advantage of an overly-eager personality. In either case, sometimes an employer will ask much more from one employee than the rest of the team, which is a sign that they may be exploiting them.

If you feel that you are being exploited, you can complain to the supervisor, ask for help from Human Resources or another manager, or quit the job. Each course of action must be considered carefully. There is certainly something to be said for defending your honor and your rights but there is also a time to "pick your battles." Choose wisely, as searching for a new job can be an expensive challenge.

Learn more about this author, Todd Pheifer.
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