According to Brits, work isn’t fair. The majority of employees in the U.K. feel overworked, underpaid, disrespected, and not able to reach full potential. Are we really surprised?
These days, one can barely survive, let along thrive in the workspace. Indeed, Brits seem to think that work is all but satisfying, rewarding, and stimulating. They feel under-appreciated and claim they are paid less than they deserve. And this is not just some common wisdom, but a well-documented plight. Findings we are going to present are a clear indication of a worrisome trend and they should serve as a nationwide wake-up call.
1. Insufficient earnings
First on the list of reasons is good ole money. To be more precise, 50% of Brits think they should be paid more. This study even suggests money equals happiness in their eyes. In fact, it is just £508 per month away. Most people would use that extra money to buy new clothes, dinner with friends, and treats for the family. Alas, the reality is less lucrative and a sense of being underpaid eventually leads to resentment and jealousy amongst team members.
2. Others take credit for our work
To make it worse, 25% of people argue others take credit for their achievements. This is perhaps the most annoying boss/peer behaviour of them all and it also points out to a larger issue. Namely, this research by PlayOJO reveals that only 10% of U.K. workers think their corporate environment is completely fair. It seems that the link between fairness, performance, and success has gone missing. This situation causes major conflicts, tarnishing team collaboration in the long run.
3. Prevented from showing true potential
Furthermore, 24% of workers say they never get the chance to show their full potential. Their talents and technical skills are neither recognised nor utilised well. There is no real challenge, the daily grind is nothing more than a dull routine, and the workflow remains unchanged for years. But, we should note that feeling bored and uninspired is just the tip of the iceberg. When bottled-up, these sentiments induce the feeling of underachievement and push people closer to quitting their jobs.
4. Disrespect from seniors
Good management is supposed to make top-performing workers feel wanted and treasured. It all starts at the top, with the positive atmosphere emanating from the higher echelons. That’s the way to attract and retain talent, right? Sadly, 23% of Brits don’t feel respected by their seniors, who shy away from delegating responsibilities, granting work autonomy, and providing feedback. The dire consequences are many and include severed relationships, poor engagement, and plummeting motivation.
5. We work too much?
What about the predicament of being overworked? Well, only 18% of those surveyed feel this way. This relatively small percentage is a small surprise considering that Brits work fewer hours than others. Believe it or not, they spend almost 100 hours less in the office than workers from the world’s most hardworking countries. Nevertheless, the subjective notion increases the level of stress and anxiety and breeds job dissatisfaction. It can also be the catalyst for other issues outlined here.
6. Promotion, where art thou?
Another peculiar finding is that 17% of employees believe they should be promoted. This is an interesting contrast to the 50% of Brits who want to get paid more. Does that mean they seek more for doing nothing extra? Let’s just say they may need to adjust their expectations and realise that promotion is an integral part of a steady career development. It comes with increased experience, proven track record, and broadening skill set.
7. Peers are not helping it
Finally, 10% of workers in U.K. feel disrespected by their peers. This creates a toxic atmosphere in the workplace and shatters team morale. It mothers that kind of culture that just won’t make anyone stick around for long. But, what we overlook is our part and contribution to all of this. Try to first understand your personality in the workspace and how it affects others. After self-reflection, you can start objectively assessing people and trying to improve your relations with them.
