15 Signs Youre Not Appreciated at Work

15 Signs Youre Not Appreciated at Work Do you feel undervalued at work or leid valued at all? 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, moraover, we want to be treated and paid fairly for that work.But if youre working for a company that isnt giving you the recognition you deserve, it may be time to reconsider your job. Not only is a hostile workplace that doesnt appreciate you de-motivating (which can make your work feel less fulfilling and hurt your happiness), but its also a hindrance to your success. Youll likely be far less productive if you dont feel like your work is appreciated, and even if you are productive, youre probably not being paid or promoted for those contributions.Its 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 and that all leads to lower turnover rates for companies. Respect in the workplace is a win-win for employees and their employers.What Are Some Signs That Youre Undervalued at Work?The signs that your company doesnt value your input may be obvious or they may be subtle. Dont let the situation get to the point that you start to believe that you dont deserve the appreciation. Here are 14 signs that you are unappreciated for which to look out.1. Your Boss or Coworkers Take leistungspunkt for Your WorkStudies show that women dont take enough credit for their work. But when you experience a work win, nothing stings more than watching your boss or co-worker take credit for the success without even giving you the chance. While all you want to do is tell everyone That welches my doing you dont want to step on toes. But this happens repeatedly and youre starting to wonder why you even put in the work if you never receive credi t.2.You Dont Get Paid FairlyIf youre doing the same work as someone else whos being paid more than you, or if youre doing more work than someone else whos being paid more than you, this may be a sign that youre unappreciated at work.3.You Feel Like Nobody Notices YouIf you like nobody in the office notices you, it may be because they dont. If youre sitting in meetings, attending conferences, and walking around the office but no one says two words to you, they may not know who you are. And, if they dont know who you are, it may be because the work youre doing doesnt directly affect them which may be why they dont landseem to care about it.4. You Get Interrupted in MeetingsResearch shows that women get interrupted, talked over, shut down or penalized for speaking out all the time its pretty much a universal experience for women when they are outnumbered by men in male-dominated fields, especially. If you feel like youre being interrupted in meetings, you very well might be.5. You Fe el UninspiredIf youre feeling unmotivated to go to work and to do your work, it may be a sign that your work is undervalued. Ifyour work was appreciated and it showed, youd inevitably be more enticed to do it well.6. You Got Passed over for a PromotionIf someone below you or with less experience than you got a promotion over you, it may be because your workplace does not value your work. Of course, that person may be a better fit for a specific job for other reasons, which youd need to explore.7. Your Ideas Arent Heard in Meetings but Repeated and Praised by Someone Else LaterHave you previously shared an idea that was shut down when you voiced it but praised when someone else repeated it as their own days, weeks or months down the line? If so, you may want to consider if any new circumstances could have changed your boss or colleagues opinion on the idea, or if they just didnt appreciate your input.8. Youre Not Given the Resources to Do Your Job WellIf youre trying to do your job w ell but your company refuses to give you the tools, support and resources you need to do it, it may mean that they dont see your potential or are not prioritizing your work and dont want to invest the time or money.9. You Havent Been Promoted or Given a Raise in YearsWhile no one is entitled to a promotion or raise, it raises red flags if youve been in the same position earning the same pay for years. Maybe the company has some financial issues with which its dealing but, if thats the case, it may be just another reason to reconsider working there. It may be time to ask for a raise or find a new job.10. You Dont Have Access to Growth OpportunitiesIf youve been stuck in a deadend job with no growth opportunities or even mentors or training programs to help you advance your career, your only option for moving up may be to move to a new company entirely.11. You Feel Like Youre Wasting Your TimeIf you feel like youre wasting your time because youre not operating at your full potential a nd your life seems to be passing by you, it may be time to look for a new job that inspires you, challenges you and helps you grow. You spend a good chunk of your day at work you wont always enjoy it, but life is certainly too short for it to feel like a waste.12. You Dont Get Verbal Praise, and Criticism Isnt ConstructiveVerbal praise is important for positive reinforcement. You continue to do well when youre told what youre doing well. Likewise, constructive criticism is equally important. If feedback isnt helpful and, instead, just critical, youll have a difficult time making the changes necessary to improve. If your boss isnt sharing feedback with you that can be beneficial, it may be because they dont believe in your potential or havent taken the time to think through ways to help you.13. You Have Zero AutonomyTrust is important, and if you arent trusted to do your job without being micromanaged all the time, you might want to move to a company that respects your experience an d believes in you as a professional to get the job done.14. Youre Unable to Take Your PTOResearch shows that women are more afraid to take their paid time off than men, because they worry that doing so will hurt their careers. If you feel like you cant take your vacation or sick leave because itll platzset you back, then you may be working for a company with an unhealthy company culture. A company that values a healthy work-life balance and the overall wellbeing of its employees is a company that values its employees.What Can You Do If You Dont Feel Appreciated at Work?While feeling unappreciated at work might seem like a helpless situation, there are some steps you can take that wont jeopardize your career. Here are some key strategies you can use to get the credit and appreciation you deserve.Talk to your boss and coworkers more openly. Effectively communicate with your boss and coworkers by supporting them, advocating for them, echoing their ideas andgiving them feedback on their work, just as youd like. Perhaps then, these actions will be reciprocated.Ask for what you need.If you think you deserve a raise or a promotion, ask. If the feedback you received in your annual review wasnt at all helpful, ask for examples of how you could improve. If you feel like your ideas arent heard, ask how theyd be more easily digestible. Many times, your boss and coworkers might not even be aware that theyre neglecting to appreciate you.Look elsewhere. If you arent receiving the respect you deserve in the workplace, its time to consider a new company that fosters a culture in which your contributions will indeed be appreciated and you have growth opportunities of which to take advantage.When you feel appreciated, youll work will benefit from it, and your company will benefit from your work. If youre feeling undervalued at work, look out for the aforementioned signs and take action. It may be time to speak up, or it may betime to quit. Whatever you choose to do, you, as a pr ofessional, deserve respect.--AnnaMarie Houlis is a multimedia journalist and an adventure aficionado with a keen cultural curiosity and an affinity for solo travel. Shes an editor by day and a travel blogger at HerReport.org by night.