No one wants to feel like they’re not pulling their weight professionally, but consistently going above and beyond or not advocating for ourselves can lead to exploitation and a lack of appreciation (no matter how much effort is put in). This article describes the 19 tell-tale signs that your boss and your colleagues might be taking you for granted at work.
You’re the First To Arrive and the Last To Leave
Unless you’re paid by the hour (with overtime), constantly putting in more hours than everyone else isn’t fair to you, no matter how desperate you are to prove yourself or get that promotion! If you’re always the one putting in extra hours, taking on additional tasks, or doing what is needed to meet deadlines, consider why no one else is such a workhorse!?
You’re Ignored
Do you struggle to get your voice heard or feel like no one ever acknowledges your ideas? Does your boss dismiss your suggestions yet listen attentively to your colleagues? LinkedIn says this is a clear sign of being disrespected and undervalued and recommends asserting yourself or seeking one-on-one conversations to ensure your perspective is understood and considered.
You’re the go-to problem solver.
Suppose your colleagues come to you whenever they have the slightest technical problem or need to brainstorm, and your boss always gives you the toughest and most urgent tasks. In that case, you’re the go-to office problem solver. While this may be flattering and make you valuable, ensure that more vocal or dominant colleagues aren’t taking the credit for your expertise and hard work.
Unfair Payday
No one likes discovering that their colleague, of equal ability and in the same role, is paid more or is getting a bigger bonus. The Guardian reports that this can be particularly problematic for women in the workplace, comparing themselves to their male counterparts. No matter the reason, your hard work and dedication aren’t getting the financial compensation they deserve.
You Feel Overloaded
Some workplaces have intense workloads, but you should be concerned if your in-tray is constantly more full than other people or if you never have time for lunch, whereas everyone else takes a few leisurely hours off! If you’re always swamped and those that are less busy don’t help out, or respond to delegation, you’re definitely being unfairly taken for granted.
No Promotions
Unfortunately, Harvard Business Review asserts that it’s not always the hardest worker or most experienced or capable employee that gets promoted. All too often, office politics, personal favors, discrimination, and even nepotism are at play. Feeling constantly overlooked can make your job feel like a frustrating dead-end, with no clear path for advancement.
You Get Blamed for Everything
Are you the first person your work colleagues or boss point a finger at when something goes wrong? Do you find yourself taking the blame for other people’s mistakes or group errors? If this is the case, you’re truly terrible at your job or being used as a scapegoat. The only way to deal with this is to advocate for yourself clearly and honestly.
You’re Always Covering Shifts
There tends to be someone in every workplace who always gets called in when an employee is ill or needs to take a personal day. If that person is you (and you’re not paid overtime), consider why it’s always your job to cover absences. It is unfair and can jeopardize your workflow and leave you burnt out and exhausted due to an unhealthy work/life balance.
You’re Overlooked for Training
Manpower Group advises, “Don’t allow your professional growth and learning to stagnate. Make time to actively develop new skills that will increase your value.” If your company invests heavily in training and development programs, but you never get an invitation, they might not be seeing your long-term potential. Everyone deserves a chance to gain skills or diversify.
Sunday Dread
The dread that sets in on Sunday night is known as ‘The Sunday Scaries’ and is extremely common, according to The Atlantic. However, this feeling is worsened when you don’t feel valued or ‘seen’ at work and the thought of returning to the stagnated, daily grind can sap all your enthusiasm and leave you feeling depressed and unmotivated at the end of the weekend.
You’re On Call 24/7
If you’re always receiving late-night emails or early morning calls at the weekend, your boss clearly doesn’t respect your personal time or right to some well-earnt relaxation. Although there are exceptions, being the one who consistently feels stressed by out-of-hours communication and tasks isn’t fair and can even lead to professional burnout and rising resentment.
Zero Recognition
Do you frequently wait for your name to be mentioned when a project is successful or a client is happy, yet find that everyone else is getting a slap on the back except you? This can be especially disturbing when you pour your heart and soul into your work, and your efforts are conveniently forgotten or downplayed, or, worse, someone else takes the glory for themselves!
You Feel Invisible
If you feel like a ghost in the office whenever there’s a brainstorming event or a meeting, you’re being dismissed without even getting a chance to prove yourself. If you sense that no one would notice if you disappeared suddenly (well, not until the work started piling up anyway), then your colleagues are underestimating your potential and unfairly writing you off as unimportant.
Hustle Culture
Does your company foster an environment where long hours, minimal breaks, weekend work, and neglecting self-care are badges of honor? Do you feel constant pressure to go above and beyond just to keep your job, let alone get promoted? This proves your employer doesn’t value its staff as individuals and merely wants to push them to breaking point while reaping the benefits of all their hard work.
Having to Justify Yourself
It can seem like an unfair burden if you feel like you need to show explicit proof of your achievements and abilities. Isn’t all your hard work obvious to everyone you work alongside? You shouldn’t need an impressive speech, a lawyer, and a PowerPoint presentation to get your boss to acknowledge that you are an invaluable team member or deserve a raise!
Missed Opportunities
It can be frustrating and disheartening when you feel capable and ready to handle more complex or interesting tasks, but you’re consistently handed the most mundane and basic ones. If every exciting, challenging opportunity is automatically handed to someone else, it’s a sign that your boss doesn’t recognize your potential and isn’t committed to your professional growth.
The Revolving Door
If you work for a company where morale is at rock bottom, it can cause colleagues to ‘jump ship’ at the first opportunity, causing a number of problems. Not only are there insufficient employees to do the work, but new ones need to be trained and lack experience. If you feel like there’s a revolving door of staff members, consider why. Maybe they weren’t being appreciated either!
No one Returns Favors
Do your colleagues ask you to cover for them, do extra work, or take on unpleasant or difficult tasks, yet never reciprocate, even when asked? This is a clear sign of exploitation, and you need to stand up for yourself. Try saying “no” or asking when they plan on repaying the favor. You shouldn’t be the only one giving while everyone else simply takes.
You’re Denied Time Off
Everyone is entitled to personal time off for vacations, special events, family commitments, or relaxation, so why are your requests for leave constantly denied while others seem to have no problem obtaining permission? If you feel you’re being singled out this way, call your boss out and ask why you don’t receive the same level of respect for your personal life that others enjoy.
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