Introduction

As educators, we strive to prepare our students for the challenges they may face in the workplace. One essential skill to instill in them is self-advocacy – the ability to speak up about their needs in a professional setting. Knowing when and how to voice concerns or requests can be especially difficult when they are new or the youngest person at work. In this blog post, we will explore an easy-to-implement activity that requires no preparation, discussion questions, and related skills to help students become confident self-advocates in the workplace.

No-Prep Activity

This no-prep activity is designed to help students practice self-advocacy in a safe and controlled environment. Divide students into pairs and have each person take turns being the ’employee’ and the ‘boss.’ The employee will present a workplace scenario where they need to advocate for themselves, such as requesting time off, asking for a schedule change, or addressing a conflict with a coworker. The boss will then provide a response, and both individuals will discuss whether the employee’s approach was effective and suggest any improvements. Encourage students to use indirect language, maintain a respectful tone, and consider the timing of their request.

Discussion Questions

1. Why is self-advocacy important in the workplace, and what challenges might a young or new employee face when advocating for themselves?
2. How can using indirect language and maintaining a respectful tone contribute to successful self-advocacy?
3. What strategies can be employed to manage strong emotions and ensure that communication remains clear and professional?
4. Can you think of a time when you successfully advocated for yourself or witnessed someone else do so? What techniques were used, and what was the outcome?
5. How can educators support students in developing self-advocacy skills and applying them in real-life situations?

Related Skills

In addition to self-advocacy, there are several other relevant skills that students should develop to thrive in the workplace. These include:

• Active listening: Paying close attention to others’ words and body language, asking clarifying questions, and providing feedback to show understanding.
• Conflict resolution: Identifying the root cause of a conflict, considering multiple viewpoints, and collaboratively working towards a mutually beneficial solution.
• Assertiveness: Expressing oneself confidently and respectfully, while also considering the needs and feelings of others.
• Time management: Prioritizing tasks, setting realistic goals, and effectively organizing one’s time to meet deadlines and achieve success.

Next Steps

By incorporating self-advocacy skills and related competencies into your curriculum, you can empower students to navigate the workplace with confidence. To access free samples of materials that can help you teach these valuable skills, sign up at Everyday Speech sample materials and explore a wide range of resources designed to support social-emotional learning.