12 Signs You're Valued At Work (Because Good Stuff Isn't Always So Obvious)
The way you feel about yourself at work can affect your entire life, since you spend the majority of your waking hours handling your job. Most people work eight hours a day, which means your job is bound to have a huge influence on your daily emotions, moods, social interactions, and experiences. Some people are extremely lucky when it comes to their careers because they work for companies that appreciate them, value them, and take care of them. Unfortunately, not everyone can relate to that.
Feeling valued at work is crucial for people who care about their general happiness, sense of self-worth, and peace of mind. When you don't feel valued at your job, voices of negativity might pop up in your head telling you that you're disposable or easily replaceable at any given moment. When you do feel valued at your job, knowing you have a semblance of job security at a place where you feel safe and content is a huge win. A lack of value in the workplace is a strong motivator to update your resumé and start up the job search. On the other hand, feeling how valued you are in the workplace is reason enough to stay exactly where you are. Here are 12 hints that you're in a good place.
You've received a promotion or pay raise
A sure-fire sign that you're being valued at work is when you're offered a promotion or pay raise. Some employees have to petition for these things, but if your boss presents you with a promotion or pay raise based on your abilities and talents, you know you're on the right track. Having to lobby for a promotion or a raise doesn't necessarily mean you aren't being valued. Sometimes, the higher-ups at your company aren't focusing on things like that, which means it's up to you to bring it to their attention.
As long as you're comfortable having an open, honest, and progressive dialogue with your management team about a promotion or pay raise, feel free to be clear about what you're looking for and hoping to achieve. Be ready to rattle off a few examples of ways that you've recently benefited the company before engaging in a conversation about something so serious.
You're trusted with major projects without micromanagement
It's much easier for upper management to trust you with major projects and assignments when you're a valuable member of the company. Knowing that you can be trusted to complete your work before upcoming deadlines mean you're a crucial asset. Picture this scenario: It's Thursday afternoon and an important project is due by Friday, EOD. Your management team is scouring the office trying to figure out who they can trust to make sure the project will be completed at a quality level.
Who do you think comes into their mind first? If it's you, the value you bring to your company is unshakable. People who are in charge of businesses never want to feel like they're being backed into corners or stuck dealing with individuals who don't know how to pull their own weight. If you've proven time and time again that you're willing to show up for your company in a way they can trust, then your company undoubtedly values your presence.
Your work rarely ever needs to be corrected or revised
When you turn in projects or assignments that are completely flawless, the people above you have less work to do in terms of corrections and revisions. This alone makes you a more valuable asset compared to others who constantly have to rework their projects until they get it right. You know that your work assignments are riddled with errors if the people in charge are constantly sending projects back to you for corrections and revisions.
If the majority of your projects don't require any additional attention on your part, there's a huge chance that you're being valued at your job. Keep in mind that no one is perfect and we're all only human. Dealing with some corrections and revisions every once in a while doesn't take away from your level of value at your company. This is more of an issue if it's happening on a daily basis.
It's also crucial to remember that being told to make revisions to your work may also be a sign of good things to come in the future. Sometimes, bosses only take time out to guide you in reworking your projects when they see potential in you. When your boss sees your potential, getting encouragement to make necessary revisions to achieve the highest possible level of success is something to be excited about.
Your input is welcomed and appreciated
Talking about your personal ideas and opinions at work might not feel super comfortable. Still, if this is something you're able to accomplish without any issues, there's a huge chance you're valued at work. Opening up with input about the way things can improve will often be met with resistance if you're not a valued employee. On the contrary, your input will be met with a welcoming spirit of appreciation if you are.
Think about a hypothetically annoying friend or roommate trying to lay a bunch of unwarranted and unsolicited advice on your shoulders. Since you don't respect their opinions or care about what they have to say, any advice that comes out of your mouth goes in one ear and out the other. But if the advice you're hearing is coming from a friend or roommate you genuinely respect and trust, it's easier for you to give a listening ear. Communication works similarly in the workforce. Come up with a short list of ideas that you believe would heavily benefit your company in a positive way. Present your ideas in a clear and concise way to gauge how welcomed and appreciated you feel for having insightful input.
Any concerns you have are met with responsiveness
Think about the last time you opened up about your concerns in the workplace. Were you met with a dismissive brush-off, or were you met with responsiveness? If it's always been the former for you, it's easy to feel like you aren't being taken seriously. If you're more acquainted with the latter, your job certainly wants you to stick around for the long haul. Workplace concerns are never fun to talk about for anyone.
Whether you're an employee or an employer, discussing issues that are happening on the job can lead to feelings of tension and discomfort. At the end of the day, though, it's up to you to bring your concerns up to your management team if you want to reach resolutions in a constructive manner. The longer you stay silent, the longer your issues will persist. Knowing that your workplace concerns will be met with responsiveness makes it easier for you to open up about things that are weighing you down.
You have peace of mind about your job security
Feeling as though you don't have any job security is devastating. It leaves you feeling unstable, and uneasy about what's to come in the future. Working somewhere that affirms your job security with validation and reassurance is a sign that you're in the right place, and in a good position for your own mental health. Jobs that make you feel on edge about your future probably aren't the best places to stay when it comes to your mental health, since living in a constant state of fear and panic isn't a good thing.
A lack of job security comes from a management team that's constantly threatening your position when you make mistakes, or making comments about how replaceable you are. This is something you should still pay attention to even if it's being presented to you as sarcasm or a joke. After all, there's nothing inherently funny about you losing your job. One brilliant way to ensure job security would be to take time to showcase just how irreplaceable you really are at work by handling your responsibilities in impressive ways.
Your colleagues and superiors compliment your work ethic and skills
Receiving compliments at work is a wonderful sign that you're valued in your role. We're not referring to compliments about your appearance — that would be inappropriate — but rather, compliments about your work ethic and skill set. If no one ever notices the amazing things you're doing at work, it's difficult to gauge whether or not you're on track. When positive feedback, words of affirmation, and compliments come pouring your way, knowing how valued you are is something that becomes abundantly clear.
When it comes to receiving compliments at work, it's also a great idea to return the favor as often as possible. When you notice your colleagues and superiors making things happen in a way that motivates or inspires you, make that known to them. If someone you work with is constantly going above and beyond, tell them that you've noticed. You'd be surprised how many workplace compliments you start receiving when you start doling them out yourself.
You generally feel included in the workplace
Workplace loneliness is way too common and that's something that needs to change. When you feel included among your colleagues and superiors, you reap a sense of belonging and purpose. Workplace loneliness often stems from the belief that you're unlikable, boring, or unimportant. Oftentimes, none of these statements are actually true. Negative thoughts like these simply pour in when you're feeling down about yourself or insecure.
Fighting back against thoughts like these is crucial if you want to emit a positive vibration to the people you work with. Walking around with slumped shoulders and a frown on your face probably won't get you very far. Kindly acknowledge your coworkers, wave at them when you're walking in, and try to maintain a welcoming attitude. When you show others you're comfortable socializing and talking, they'll feel more inclined to include you in workplace conversations and off-the-clock hangs.
If you're a brand new hire at your company, feeling included might not happen right off the bat. Don't close yourself off at the beginning with the misguided belief that no one wants you around. When you're a new employee, others are likely feeling you out and trying to decipher your general vibe before getting super close to you. If you've been with your company for a long time and you still aren't feeling included, take it upon yourself to open some of those communication pathways and create a positive change. There's a chance the people you're working with are convinced you'd rather be left alone for some reason or another. Showcase your friendly side and strike up some conversations.
The people you work with are happy to help you when needed
How did your coworkers react the last time you requested help from them? When you're valued at work, receiving help from others happens fluidly and contentedly. On the flip side, do your superiors and colleagues roll their eyes, huff and puff, and throw up their arms at the prospect of helping you with a project or assignment? If so, having you around probably brings them more frustration than joy.
Were they gentle and enthusiastic when they agreed to team up with you? These interactions make such a difference when it comes to the level of value you feel in the workplace. Working with people who don't care to see you succeed or help you progress is a huge red flag. It goes beyond the lack of feeling valued in the workplace. If everyone is working together to achieve the same goals, everyone should be on the same page with helping each other out when necessary.
Your colleagues and superiors notice when you go above and beyond
Going above and beyond in the workplace really only feels good when others notice. If you're going out of your way to help your company without any acknowledgment, you're sure to start feeling burnt out, even used. When the people you work with notice your efforts, your value becomes clearer than ever. This doesn't mean you should throw in the towel and give up on doing your best work if other people aren't noticing your efforts. You might simply have to draw more attention to the actions you're taking for others to fully acknowledge what's going on.
Pointing everyone in the direction of a quality project or assignment you've recently completed is a simple way to make this happen. You're clearly being valued at your job if you don't have to point anyone in the direction of your projects, though. If everyone is noticing the good work you're doing without you having to say anything, recognize that you're highly valued. Earning the title of employee of the month or gaining recognition via company newsletters and email shoutouts are a few ways the people you work with can showcase what they're noticing from you.
Your questions are always thoroughly answered
Asking questions at work should always lead to the answers you're seeking. If your questions are always dismissed without much care or attention, you'll continue feeling lost and confused. A company that values you will answer your questions thoroughly to ensure you stay on track. This rule of thumb is important to take note of whether you're a brand new hire or someone who's been with a company for 10 years.
If you're brand new at your job, there's a chance you're going to have loads of questions as you try to work your way past the learning curve. Signs of how valuable you are will be obvious early on if the people around you are eager to clear up any confusion you have by answering your questions with solid answers. If you've been at your job for an extended period of time, questions you have might only pop up every once in a while. Still, you deserve information about any area of confusion you may have.
When you're held accountable for a mistake, it's done with respect and grace
Everyone makes mistakes — that's what makes us human. The way your superiors handle your mistakes says a lot about your value at a company. If you're brutally ripped apart by your boss or publicly shamed in front of your colleagues by a manager, it's likely your value isn't very high. This is still an issue whether or not other colleagues are around. Whenever you're being held accountable for a mistake, it should be done with respect and grace.
You and your manager might have complete privacy while having this type of discussion, but that doesn't mean they can speak to you harshly. A company that deeply values you and wants you to stick around will privately discuss your mistakes with you and give you the opportunity to fix things. A company that isn't scared to embarrass you or heavily criticize you in front of others isn't scared about losing you at all.
Put yourself in your manager's shoes and envision how it would look for you to hold someone in the workplace accountable. If your manager isn't addressing you the way you would address others in their position, you have a problem on your hands. It goes as deep as treating others the way you want to be treated. You know you're valued at work if the people in charge are keeping up with that age-old virtue.