Is it good to be a hard worker?

Question

I always was a hard worker, my boss values me, but for me it seems I don't do enough. Even at my lunch break I answer the phone! I know that its not right, but I can't help it. I all the time got this idea that my boss can fire me if I won't try hard. And sometimes, he jokes like ' what if you get paid only when the customers are coming'. That drives me crazy also when he asks 'where are the customers, what have you done?'

Answer 1

You've gotten some good advice here, but I'd like to add that if your boss gets used to you working thru your breaks he will expect it from now on and will get mad when you don't. Unfortunately I've found that when you do more for your job than is required (doing coworkers work, working thru breaks, staying late, etc.) the others expect it of you and then when you stop doing those things they will turn on you and say you are not doing your job even though you are and only quit doing the "extra" stuff. When you "spoil" anyone, they get mad when you stop whether it is a child, a spouse, or a boss.

Answer 2

I decided a few years ago to spend a couple of years working my backside off to get up the career ladder.

This work ethic was completed exploited by the bosses I worked for and I got absolutely nothing in return. No appreciation and certainly no extra money. The more I did, the more they expected me to do. I did gain a fantastic reputation, but it scared people off rather than impressing them.

Eventually I burned out and had to take 6 months off. I've finally learned that I get paid the same as everyone else in the job, whether I work through my lunches or not. So now I stay under the radar, do the work to the best of my ability but no better, go home at 5 o'clock and tend my garden. I'm so much happier!

Answer 3

There is a feeling of burden when we try to work to become a hard worker. Instead, if we decide to enjoy the work, may be the burden would not be felt. Then with that light feeling, our productivity will go up, and any sensible boss would think before trying to harass with wounding words, or tone...
Customers would like a cheerful face and will re-visit.. !
If the doubt is 'how to enjoy the work', look at children enjoying while playing the game of 'office', 'school', 'class', 'home' etc... They add all the drama of real life that they happen to observe, and yet enjoy it !

Answer 4

Honey, in life we never seem to do enough. There's not enough hours in the day. There's nothing wrong with being a hard worker. It's a good look, trust me. But just do your job and leave it there. Fall back for a minute, don't answer the phone during your lunch break. The company is paying you for the "break" time. But play hard if you're gonna work hard too. Pamper yourself. It sounds like you need it!

Answer 5

Yes, especially if it brings you 'Personal,' 'Job Satisfaction.' That's something I valued very highly.

I knew two guys who worked (night duty) both as side-kicks and singularly (re shifts), and were in the same employ for 20+ years (the NHS). They retired within a couple of months of each other.

Both, on each occasion, went into The Office on the morning they finished, handed over their paperwork, keys, pagers and the rest of their gear ...and 'nothing' was said to them

No 'Good by's,' no 'Thanks' or any thing.....

The both walked away without any recognition from their Managers or Colleagues for anything they did or contributed.

One died within six months of his retirement, the other within the year.

When I 'took' redundancy and left after my 24 years, I experienced exactly the same ....in spite of my sometimes putting

- in a half dozen 24 hour duties

- one 3 day none stop duty period

- two continual (7 nights a week) stretches of 14 weeks (10 hour nights), without a break

- and others - many many 14 hour days.

I did it then, I'm both capable of it now. But I have those experiences in my head, I valued what I did and the skill I had in doing my job well - as well as knowing that others who depended upon me, valued what I did and were 'happy' when it was me on duty.

It may not have been 'recognised' Officially, but I know what I did and how much satisfaction my work and skill bought me.

Sash.

Answer 6

I too have a strong work ethic and believe that if my organisation is paying me I at least should return the favour by putting ina good days work. I get a lot of job satisfaction knowing that at the end of each day I have performed my role well. You sound rather insecure, does this mean you could use a little more training? If so, speak to your employers. They won't think bad of you for wanting to learn more.

Answer 7

you need to do what's best for you. work at the pace that makes you feel good, and what you feel is right. it seems you enjoy what you do and from what you say you do it well so keep up the good work. if you answer the phone during lunch break, it's cause you want to . you know you're on break so take the break as you like.

Answer 8

It's good to be a hard worker, but it's better/more important that people KNOW you are a good worker, and are valuable.
Everything boils down to 'who you know' and who's looking out for you. If you can shine in such a way that you make your boss shine. That's a good start.

Answer 9

I would be wary of the boss. He sounds intimidated by your strong work ethic. The things he is saying is bordering on intimidation possibly bullying. Learn your rights and stand up for them.
To answer you question, hard work makes you feel good about yourself.

Answer 10

Work hard at every job you do. Be it the smallest, seemingly insignificant task, to the weighty make-or-break deals. If you work hard people notice.

If your boss makes these comments to you it's likely because he/she knows your value and assumes you do too. Therefore he/she figures you won't take these jibes seriously.