How to make your boss appreciate your hard work?

Question

My boss knows that Ive done my work very well. No one can deny that fact, not even her. But she never says thank you. Not even once. What Ive done so far is to make her and the other workers' lifes easier. So that everyone can breathe easily at work. I do it for everyone and Ive never asked anything from her. But she as a boss, she never acknowledges that. It makes me wonder if she is that ignorant. How can she be so cold-hearted? How does she sleep at night?

Answer 1

Stop doing it for a while and see what happens.

Answer 2

Sweetie, I agree with you. I have worked for my Uncle in his law office for almost 1 year now, as a legal Secretary with 0-2 years exp. I should start out at around $29,000, a year in my area. I make $210.00 a week...do the math...that is $11,000 at best for a year. So that is less than 1/2 of what they start out at. Not to mention, I run errands for the office...I go to the post office 5 days a week. I go to the court house to file things, and get paper work during the week also. I ask for a raise, he says I play on the computer all day, which is partly true, but my job is done, above and beyond what others do. I clean the office, and babysit the foster kids when they have meetings, go figure. I do this to help them out, and the Mon-Fri day hours, works with my son in school, I am not sure how much longer I can do it. I am making 1/3 of what I did as a bartender/server...something has to give soon, or I am leaving his office to find another job... Look at this way I get no medical benefits, and I do not even make min. wage.

Answer 3

I used to be like you. . . always needing a "thank you" or "good job". It gets exhausting when you keep working full tilt and then don't feel appreciated at the end of the day. Actually the best thing you can do is continually remind yourself that you are doing a great job regardless if anyone else seems to notice. People are noticing but what really gets their attention is the continued effort in that direction without complaint or lessening of efforton your part. Its tough but you can't let what other people say or don't say affect your work performance.

Answer 4

She probably doesn't know how much her appreciation means to you - so tell her. Don't whine or fuss; just ask her if your work is acceptable, up to her standards, whatever - and then really listen to her response. Listen especially for the meanings behind her words; sometime what is implied is more important than the actual words.

Have you had your annual performance interview? If not, this might be another avenue for you to explore.

At any rate, not hearing appreciative comments doesn't mean the people you work with don't appreciate you; it just means they haven't said so. Look for other ways they let you know you matter; you may just be surprised at what's really being "said"!

Answer 5

When a person doesn't appreciate the things you do when you go out and beyond, there is only one solution. Stop doing it! They tend to wake up in reality world, when they don't have what they feel that they should have. And when she approaches you and asked why did you stop doing it, tell her the truth, it isn't in your job description, and when you were doing it, it seemed if no one appreciated your efforts or took notice of your hardwork. Then you can go on from there.

Answer 6

I know a lot of people like that, they say things to me that I would never dream of saying to someone else. But I don't speak to them anymore. Unless you are willing to quit your job, you are probably stuck with a mean boss for a while.

Answer 7

maybe she expects you to do it because its your job. some bosses just don't realize that positive feedback can make a difference! i only get positive feedback about once a year and i've just grown used to it. i'm just glad that in the crappy economy that i have a job! just do your best and be satisfied knowing that you have a job you're good at and that whether or not they tell you, you know you're an asset to the company

Answer 8

Perhaps you are doing it for all the wrong reasons. You really love your work. I can tell. Perhaps you should change the motive for why you are doing it. I mean trying to please your boss is a no win situation. I know that everyone wants to be recognized for their contributions but you should do it for self satisfaction and know that you are pleasing the one who really counts...yourself!