Dignity of Job: Why Self-Respect Matters More Than Salary

The first job interview of my life was at Oxford Bookstore. I was nervous, unsure of how I would be treated. But what surprised me was not the questions or the salary—they offered just ₹12,000—but the way I was treated with dignity and respect. The HR listened to me patiently, acknowledged my CV with interest, and spoke to me with kindness. That day, I realized something profound: in any job, dignity is more important than designation or income.

Why Don’t We Raise Our Voice?

In many countries, people do small jobs, but they are not looked down upon. They are treated with basic human dignity. But in our country, people working even in decent positions often face disrespect and humiliation. This makes us question—why don’t we speak up when our self-respect is compromised?

Many people continue in toxic workplaces, tolerate overwork, accept low salaries, and endure rude bosses—all for job security. They fear losing their income and facing financial instability. But how much money is enough to trade for our self-worth? Is survival more important than dignity?

The Harsh Role of Money

In today’s world, money is seen as the ultimate need. People quietly bear exploitation just to secure their monthly salary. Even highly qualified employees are often insulted by their seniors. Politicians pressure honest officers, and sometimes even judges publicly humiliate them. This culture of silence has become normalized.

But this isn’t strength—it’s fear. We have become so desperate to survive that we’ve forgotten how to live with honour.

A Call for Unity and Support

If an employee is misbehaved with, others in the workplace should support them. Remaining silent means accepting injustice. If we don’t raise our voice today, we might become victims tomorrow.

It’s important to understand that self-respect should never be compromised—not for a job, not for money, and not even for settling abroad. When we stop valuing ourselves, we give others permission to devalue us.

The Fear of the Powerful

In India, power often overshadows justice. There are cases where powerful people commit crimes and still walk freely. I remember watching a video where an IAS officer’s wife was mistreated by a politician. Even then, the officer stayed silent.

This kind of silence is not wisdom—it’s a crime against humanity. If educated and empowered individuals won’t raise their voice, how can we expect the poor and helpless to fight for justice?

What Needs to Change

It’s time to stop being afraid. As a society, we need to stand against humiliation, exploitation, and injustice.

We must remember:

Living with dignity is a human right.

Raising your voice is not disrespect—it’s self-respect.

Tolerating injustice makes us part of the problem.

Government’s Role and Our Responsibility

Governments should ensure safety and respect for all workers, just as countries like Switzerland and Finland do. But change won’t come until we change our mindset. Let’s stop normalizing humiliation. Let’s raise our voices—not with violence, but with logic and unity.As Swami Vivekananda once said, “Strength is life, weakness is death.” Until we build strength—mental, moral, and collective—evil will dominate. But when we stand together with courage and clarity, the world will begin to change.