If you have a good relationship with your boss, you’ll enjoy your job more; if you don’t, you’ll hate going to work—it’s that simple. For many people, one of the biggest gripes they have with their boss is a lack of appreciation. And in this list, we share some early signs that your boss doesn’t value your work.
They Don’t Give You Credit
Getting credit for your work is a massive deal. If your boss recognizes your contributions and effort, they respect you. Forbes warns that some bosses take credit for others’ work because they feel entitled to it and don’t want to elevate their employees above themselves. Your boss should appreciate what you do for them.
They’re Picky
A picky boss isn’t necessarily a bad boss, but if your boss finds fault with every little thing you do, they don’t value your work. Criticism should be constructive to help you improve and move up the corporate ladder. If your boss is constantly nitpicking, they have no respect for your hard work.
They Undermine You
Sometimes, bad bosses exert their authority by putting down the employees they manage. They’re able to undermine you because workplace power dynamics are on their side, even though it’s incredibly unprofessional and demotivating. When you work hard, you deserve appreciation, and a good boss won’t undermine your success.
They Give You the Worst Tasks
We all try to avoid some tasks at work, but everyone should take one for the team. However, it’s wrong for your boss to constantly give you the worst tasks because it implies they don’t think you’re capable of better. They’ll balance the collective workload fairly if they genuinely value your work.
They Offer Limited Feedback
Feedback is essential in the workplace because it lets you know how well you’re performing. Some people say a lack of feedback is good because it means there’s nothing bad to report, but positive feedback should also be communicated. This lets you know your boss checks your work and is impressed with it.
They Speak Down to You
A team is only as good as their boss, so your manager needs to foster mutual respect. If they speak down to you, they create a toxic work environment. Psychology Today observes that condescending bosses usually lack humility and tact, so they denigrate their employees’ work to elevate their own.
They Interrupt You
Some people interrupt others without realizing it, but a boss should have better self-awareness. If they interrupt you, it could be because they don’t respect your contributions, don’t want you to outshine them, or think you have nothing to offer. All of these indicate they don’t value your work.
They Don’t Consider You For a Raise
You won’t always get a raise when you ask for one, but there are times when you should question why your boss won’t agree to it. If you’re consistently working hard and taking on tasks outside your job description, you should be compensated. A boss who doesn’t recognize that doesn’t appreciate everything you do.
They Never Praise You
When you make significant contributions to a project, your boss should give you the praise you deserve. Positive feedback boosts morale and incentivizes employees to maintain their high performance. A boss who never praises their employees’ work won’t foster a connection with them or make them feel valued.
They Ice You Out of the Team
A manager should always be professional, but many aren’t. Being iced out of your team by your boss because you took the initiative or disagreed with them about how to do something will damage your career. Not only does it show a lack of respect for your work, but for you as a person.
They Block Your Career Growth
We all want to achieve our career goals, and working hard is one of the surest ways to succeed. However, a boss who doesn’t value your work may become a ‘career blocker’. They hold you back to prevent you from accomplishing greater things and create resentment.
They Play Favorites
All bosses likely have their favorites, but it’s unprofessional to let employees know. When you aren’t your boss’s favorite, you might miss out on opportunities you deserve because they value another employee’s work over yours. This is frustrating and creates toxic competition between co-workers. Ultimately, your hard work should speak for itself.
They Don’t Listen to You
In the end, your boss gets the final say on what happens in the workplace. However, they should listen to what you and your colleagues have to say to improve communication and prove they value you as employees. A boss who never listens doesn’t inspire confidence and likely takes your hard work for granted.
They Never Say Thank You
Some experts claim bosses shouldn’t thank employees for doing their jobs because it devalues the meaning of gratitude, but it’s wrong for your boss to show you zero appreciation. An occasional ‘thank you’ shows they notice and value your work, making you want to maintain your performance.
They’re Always Too Busy
You might not see much of your boss when things are hectic, but they can’t be busy every day. A boss who always claims to be too busy for a quick chat is most likely trying to avoid engaging with you. This means they won’t review your work, which could lead to unnecessary stress.
They Ignore You
It’s your manager’s job to work with you, so it’s a bad sign if they ignore you. CNBC reports that this indicates ‘quiet firing’, which is when a boss encourages an employee to quit by avoiding them, disregarding their ideas, and deliberately leaving them out. Any boss who does this doesn’t value your work.
They Saddle You With Extra Work
You may think being assigned extra work means your boss appreciates your staunch work ethic, but it’s not always a good sign. While they likely do think you’re hard-working and capable, saddling you with extra tasks actually devalues the work you usually do by taking your time and attention away.
They Don’t Take You Seriously
Finally, a boss who doesn’t take you seriously definitely doesn’t value your work. You might work under them, but you’re ultimately in your job because you want to progress your career and accomplish your goals. When your boss refuses to take you seriously, they belittle your hard work and professional aspirations.
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