26 - How To Advocate For Yourself and Get Your Needs Met At Work with Julia Stephanides
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Description
“Most people are not taught to be in touch with their needs.” - Julia Stephanides
We live in a hyper-capitalist society where it’s better for the system if we don’t have needs. We should work hard, never stop, and do our jobs quietly - as close to robots as possible. But at some point, we must stop, reclaim our humanity, acknowledge our needs and feelings, and reconnect with them.
The law is so focused on the external process of advocacy that there’s little to no room for the internal process that a person has to go through when they decide to step into their power and advocate for themselves. That’s where people like today’s guest, Julia Stephanides, come in. I met Julia a year ago at a weekend retreat where we connected while talking about the nature of work culture in the US and how it gets in the way of people finding and sustaining joy in their lives.
In this conversation, Julia and I are talking about how you can understand the law better, know your needs, and become your best advocate. We discuss common issues employees face in the workplace, Julia’s experiences with chronic health conditions, understanding what qualifies as a disability under the law, the importance of self-advocacy and awareness in securing reasonable accommodations at work, and more.
Let's pull joy in together!
ABOUT JULIA STEPHANIDES
Julia Stephanides is an employment lawyer at RED Law, where she coaches and advocates for employees dealing with challenging work situations. She represents workers facing discrimination, harassment, and whistleblower retaliation and advises executives on offer letters, equity packages, M&A, and separations. Previously, Julia worked for the Writers Guild of America, where she represented writers against studios at arbitration.
Through her work and her personal experience navigating challenging health issues, Julia realized the extent to which American systems and norms like hyper-capitalism, rugged individualism, and patriarchy cause and perpetuate health issues. She believes that to find true health and happiness within these systems, we need to advocate for ourselves--at home, in the workplace, at the doctor's office, and with our loved ones. She started her company, Legally Holistic, to teach people how to do that.
When she's not fighting the good fight, Julia loves hiking in the redwoods, healthy cooking, writing, design, and gardening. She is in training to become a priestess through a divine feminine lineage.
HIGHLIGHTS FROM THE EPISODE
Recognizing that finding your voice is an internal process
How Julia’s childhood joys have grown with her into her adult life
Julia’s recognition that her career as a lawyer allows her to combine advocacy with storytelling
Holding on to the belief that, in their essence, most people are good
How bringing in empathy and warmth has served Julia and her clients in her practice
Julia’s background and what drew her to become an employment lawyer
Common issues that are handled in employment law
Discrimination faced by individuals with chronic health issues and disabilities in the workplace
The need for reasonable accommodations
Why chronic illnesses are often considered disabilities under the law
Criteria for qualifying for protections and accommodations
Julia’s drive to make the law more understandable so individuals can be empowered to advocate for themselves
Problems that can occur with employer retaliation and disability discrimination
Doing the inner work and why it’s important to advocate for yourself at work
Finding your voice and understanding employment law and accommodations
Self-advocacy as a form of reparenting
How societal conditioning encourages us to have an external focus
Reconnecting with your needs and inner child healing work
Chronic migraines as an example of a disability under the ADA and entitlement to reasonable accommodations
Guidance on disclosing a disability to HR and requesting reasonable accommodations
CONNECT WITH JULIA STEPHANIDES
Julia Stephanides on Instagram @legally.holistic
Julia Stephanides’ Websites
For those who need a lawyer: REDLaw.com
For courses and workshops on self-advocacy: LegallyHolistic.com
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