The Context of Abusive Statements

If someone told you that they were being treated badly in a relationship, you would not say:

“Well, you’re lucky to be in any relationship!”

or

“You need to just accept this to make your relationship work.”

If you heard someone say those things to anyone else, hopefully you’d step in. You’d point out how those statement are pretty threatening, and how they enable abusers and normalize abusive relationships.

Right? I mean, I can’t imagine there’s many people who disagree with that.

That leads me to a simple question.

Why do people consider those statements “okay” and “normal” when they’re said in the workplace?

“Well, you’re lucky to have a job.”

“You just need to accept this [ pay cut | additional work | reduction in benefits ] to make the company work.”

How are those any less manipulative and abusive?

Can anyone explain it to me?

Featured Photo by Hunters Race on Unsplash