14 Signs You’re Not Appreciated at Work
Do you feel like you are not appreciated at work or undervalued? If you feel like your work goes unrecognized and your ideas are often neglected, it can be demoralizing, defeating and frustrating. As human beings, we all want to be patted on the back for hard work — and, moreover, we want to be treated and paid fairly for that work.
But if you’re working for a company that isn’t giving you the recognition you deserve, it may be time to reconsider your job. Not only is a hostile workplace that doesn’t appreciate you de-motivating (which can make your work feel less fulfilling and hurt your happiness), but it’s also a hindrance to your success. You’ll likely be far less productive if you don’t feel like your work is appreciated, and even if you are productive, you’re probably not being paid or promoted for those contributions.
It’s important that you feel respected in the workplace. Studies show that employees who feel appreciated and are shown gratitude are up to 50 percent more productive and have higher morale and satisfaction than those who are not appreciated at work — and that all leads to lower turnover rates for companies. Respect in the workplace is a win-win for employees and their employers.
You Don’t Receive Function Invites
Exclusion is one of the most apparent signs you’re not valued at work, and it’s equal to “the silent treatment.” Your employer knows you work there, but they see you as too insignificant for inclusion. Hence, their low view of your worth may cause them to overlook you.
Don’t assume the worst if the people at work exclude you once. Human errors happen, and there might be a legitimate reason you didn’t get the memo. Look for consistent patterns first and take action if you realize they’re trending.
How To Cope
Don’t keep quiet if you suspect intentional exclusion. Request a meeting with the person who left you out and ask what happened. They’ll explain with a sincere apology or a gaslit excuse, and you will know the difference.
Some exclusions might happen because you’re not an outgoing person. Because of that, the event planners might think you’re disinterested in attending functions. You can fix the issue by channeling your warmth and expressing your interest in events.
Exclusion could also be a whipping stick in your workplace. It could be an extension of ostracization used to harass “weak” employees. That behavior has a different solution that requires your absence. You don’t have to cope with mistreatment.
Communicating Effectively with your Supervisor
It may surprise you to learn that most managers do not get any formal training in the art of management. As a result, they learn by practicing on you. Even business degrees do not have many classes on managing people. They primarily focus on subjects such as finance, marketing, etc.
No boss is purely one of these. Depending on the situation, a boss may switch from one of these types to the other. However, most of the time, your boss will have a dominant style that will reflect one of these types.
| Boss Type | Traits | Favourite Quote | Communication Strategy |
| Tyrant | Seeks control. | “Did you do what I told you to do?” | Approach privately, don’t contradict them in public. |
| Career Climber | Ambitious. Concerned about own image. | “How does this reflect on me?” | Understand their goals. Support them or avoid embarrassing them. |
| Company Man | Wishes to avoid criticism from above. | “Will my boss/the company be happy?” | Align your work with corporate/group goals. |
| Burnout/Lifer | Minimize hassle, collect pay, go home. Value peace above fairness. | “Who is causing me a hassle now?” | Pitch assurances of safe ideas. |
| Old Timer | Values safety of the proven past. Operates on inertia and fear. | “This is how we’ve always done it.” | Present ideas as small, safe, and as tiny deviances of current systems. |
| Expert | Made a manager because of craft excellence, not management skill. | “Is this work at my standards?” | Ask for their expert opinion and help. Be meticulous in your work. |
| Micromanager | Value adherence to instructions. | “Did you do it exactly as I told you?” | Invite oversight and give frequent updates. |
| Frazzled | Cannot say no. No balance. | “I’m so busy, I have no time for this.” | Set boundaries, offer help, bother them rarely. |
| Invisible Hand | Remote. Delegates the day to day. Trusts employees. | “Call me if you need me.” | Hand problems you can, call them quickly if there are issues. |
| Servant Leader | Values team players. Struggle with disruptive or selfish employees. | “How can I help you succeed?” | Work towards team goals. |
| Retail Manager | Disempowered. Common in fast food, mall stores, etc. | “That’s what HQ said; I can’t change it.” | Adhere to the letter of the rules. |
| Owner | Deep emotional ties. Threats to business are threats to them. | “My name is on the building.” | Treat their business as personal property. |
Should I Quit if I am not valued at work?
Often, mental wellness challenges such as a lack of self-worth, anxiety, or depression can manifest as apathy or dissatisfaction at work. Even if you quit this job, those feelings will follow you to your next job. Therefore, it is vital to work on those before quitting.
It is worth noting that quitting may be warranted in some situations if management cannot address the situation adequately. Examples include sexual harassment, unsafe working conditions, racist abuse, etc. There are no skills to build or feedback to consider in this situation. The priority needs to be switching to a safer environment. 79% of employees would refuse a higher-paying job from a company that failed to act against sexual harassment.
Source:
https://www.ivyexec.com/career-advice/2021/14-signs-youre-not-appreciated-at-work/
https://eggcellentwork.com/signs-you-are-not-valued-at-work/
https://www.healthygamer.gg/blog/dont-feel-valued-at-work