What's Your Job Situation? If Bad, Is It Bearable or Unbearable?

Money isn't the only motivator or de-motivator for employees. Lack of appreciation for your contributions can cause the same effect. It's not that you expect to get a pat on the back every time you do some little thing; it's that you quickly begin to resent being taken for granted when you're doing a lot more than that, and this can make you start thinking in terms of launching a job search to find a new or better job somewhere else.

A tough job market or economy can definitely make matters worse. For example, over the past few years, companies have pared down their staffing to achieve leaner operations. Sometimes it's done just to stay in business; other times to increase the bottom line and maybe to remain competitive. Regardless of the reason, it results in employees being expected, not asked, to do more with less over a long period of time.

That might not be so bad if management remembered, or took the time, to assure employees that their hard work and sacrifices were recognized and appreciated. Too often, though, when employees object to what amounts to above-and-beyond-the-call demands or seek relief from a killer work schedule, they hear something like this: "Be grateful you have a job. A lot of people don't!"

This is not what anyone wants to hear. So how do you handle it when it happens to you?

What you emphatically don't want to do is throw up your hands, say, "I quit!" and walk out the door! At least, not unless you already have a strong new job prospect waiting in the wings. On the other hand, you also don't want to turn into a doormat and find yourself hating to get up every morning to go to work. The emotional and physical repercussions of that course can seriously threaten your well-being.

What Steps Should You Take?

I described above what you don't want to do when you are being pushed beyond reason or are generally unappreciated at work, which is to either leave precipitously or stay too long in a bad situation. Now I'm going to discuss some things you should do.

First, evaluate the situation carefully to identify appropriate actions. If the extreme pressure is temporary, you might decide to wait it out, especially if you've enjoyed your job and the company until now. On the other hand, it's common for a deteriorating situation to remain unsatisfactory--that is, to get worse or at least stay the same. Are you prepared to put up with that or do you want to look at your career options outside the organization?

One possible step involves talking with someone in the organization whose opinion you value and who will give you straight answers. You can try to gain from that individual a sense of what you're dealing with. The person you choose might be your immediate boss or someone else. The important thing is that the conversation should provide you with good "intelligence" to aid your decision about what to do or where to go next.

Look for impartial outside help if you feel you can't trust anyone within the company. That can include former bosses or colleagues who know your work quality, as well as professionals in career coaching or other job search-related fields.

Another wise step is to make sure your resume is in good shape, your references are in order and copies of your performance reviews or other potentially valuable materials are stored at home, where you can get at them if you need them. Trying to gather them after you have been "shown the door" by your employer can be a nightmare!

Of course, you should be careful that whatever you do doesn't cause your unplanned departure from the company. If you end up deciding you have to quit, you want it to be at a time and in a manner of your choosing--preferably with a carefully selected replacement job lined up and with proper notice to your employer so that you can leave on as good terms as possible. In other words, you want to control the process, timing and outcome of your new job search, not let your current employer dictate when and how it happens.

Tip: Get some good interview advice on how to handle the subject of your departure, because you will be asked about that and you need to have your response ready.

Copyright 2005, A Successful Career, div. of Adept Business Services

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Certified career coach and professional resume writer Georgia Adamson, owner of A Successful Career, provides services that help job seekers and career changers expedite achievement of their job or career goals, with fewer hassles and more quickly than they might on their own. She frequently works with individuals who are mid-management to executive level, as well as professionals in the high-tech industry. To learn more, visit A Successful Career or A Blue Ribbon Resume.