7 Things Women Should Never Put Up With in the Workplace

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When it comes to the workplace, there are plenty of double standards that women face every day, just because they’re women and not men. Here are seven things that any woman who wants to be successful at work should never put up with, whether from her boss or her coworkers. It’s time for this double standard to end, once and for all!

1) Failing to be funny is no excuse

One of my first bosses was famous for saying, If you’re not going to be funny, I don’t want to know you. When a man says something like that, he seems strong and decisive. But when a woman does it, people call her a bi*ch. Funny is powerful—and being powerful as a woman is important. Even if you don’t think jokes are your thing, you need to be funny when it counts most: with your clients or colleagues who might hold your career back or damage your reputation. You may not be able to control what they say about you behind closed doors or how they view you publicly on social media; but one thing is certain: You can always control what comes out of your mouth.

2) Being emotionally closed off

While women are stereotyped as being too emotional, there’s also a stigma against female bosses who aren’t. As COO of Reddit Ellen Pao wrote on The Wall Street Journal, One former boss told me I was supposed to be an objective leader and not get caught up in other people’s emotions—but when my male peers engaged directly with employees they were described as strong communicators. It seemed like something else was going on. It can be hard to speak up about these issues but pushing through can pay off: I learned how to communicate more effectively with others by applying a more empathetic approach, which improved my relationships and helped me develop skills that ultimately made me a better leader.

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3) Ignoring your success

There are few things more frustrating than when you’ve proved your worth—and have been recognized for it—but you’re still not given opportunities, promotions, or pay raises. If a job requires certification, master it. When there are projects to be done and budgets to be worked with, put yourself forward. And if you’re clearly earning and deserving of a raise, don’t hesitate to ask for one! You may be asking for an increase that is way less than what someone else is making doing a similar job. If your employer won't recognize your accomplishments and efforts - leave. It's better to find a company where people appreciate you than staying in place where they don't care about your success and feeling appreciated as an employee.

4) Treating you like an object

Even if it’s something as subtle as frequently commenting on your outfit or appearance, don’t put up with it. Whether intentional or not, comments like these suggest that you’re more of a trophy than a person. No one wants to be seen as an object, especially not at work—where so much focus is placed on professionalism and respect for your colleagues. If you feel yourself becoming upset by such behavior, talk to someone about how you’re feeling. Don't bottle up negative feelings that can sometimes result from these types of encounters. You don't want to fester and become resentful later on down the road.

5) Unrelated, inappropriate flirting

Every female has had a colleague who couldn’t help but stare. They’re not hitting on you, but they might be showing interest—or just plain acting like jerks. Either way, it’s gross and it makes us uncomfortable. If we ask you to stop (we will), please respect our wishes and don’t do it again. This is particularly important if you are a supervisor or manager: If you say inappropriate things or make unwanted advances towards your female employees, they will often become too uncomfortable to work with you effectively. Don't put your career at risk by making us feel awkward around you!

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6) Belittling you with demeaning nicknames or comments

When someone constantly calls you by a name you’re not comfortable with or uses demeaning nicknames, it’s time to set them straight. Instead of turning red and trying to brush off their words, call them out on their sexist or derogatory comments. If they persist, it might be time to walk away from that position. The same goes for when your coworkers continually ask about your love life or what you did over the weekend—it’s a clear indication that they only see you as a female and not as an equal team member. Be firm about what is and isn’t acceptable behavior for both men and women and don’t back down until your coworkers change their ways.

7) Talking about you behind your back

Whether you’re having a private conversation with a male coworker or texting with your best friend, don’t ever put someone down. It may be tempting to discuss something that you disagree with—maybe she messes up her paperwork often or he likes to gossip about other coworkers—but it’s always better to confront her when you have an issue than talk about her behind her back. If she knows there is an issue and never hears about it from you, then what did she learn? Absolutely nothing! This can not only lead to misunderstandings but can even discourage women from reaching out for help when they need it. If you don’t like someone, just try harder to make sure they are successful.