Do you feel appreciated at work?

The culture of science and research is that really no one cares how hard you work. They only care if you find something interesting. There is very little positive reinforcement from supervisors, etc. It's all very internally driven.

I'm leaving science for a "real job" soon after I graduate, and I just want to know what I'm in for. I totally feel unappreciated right now. Like nothing I do matters or is good enough.

In general, do you feel like your work matters to your boss? Does he/she thank you, tell you that you did a good job? I'm not saying I need someone to fall over me, but if I work hard I would rather have someone acknowledge it rather than sh!t all over it saying it's not good enough, do it again.

So I'm just taking a sort of survey to see how people feel in their jobs.

Re: Do you feel appreciated at work?

I just graduated from grad school a few months ago, from a lab in which I felt totally unappreciated.
My new "real job" is a post doc in another academic setting. I can tell you it is all about who you work for. While I have only been here a bit over a month, I feel like my opinion and experience matter here and I can tell from my bosses interactions with the grad students in our lab, that he appreciates them. So really, I feel like it just depends on who your boss is.

Re: Do you feel appreciated at work?

Overall.. I think I feel valued. I have good days and bad days though.

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I get a little of both. I'll work hard on something and show my boss and he's a nitpicker and quick to overreact so he might pick at mistakes and be like It's all RUINED now! RUINED I say! even though it's a minor thing.

But other times, he tells me I'm doing a good job and definitely gives me credit for a lot of my work in meetings with important people. It's probably 60-40 (bad-good).

Re: Do you feel appreciated at work?

I've been lucky enough in that I've had two jobs where I felt appreciated by my direct report. This one and one I had back in 1994. I've had many other jobs and was a number, even though I worked very hard.

When things get bad, I try to remember that almost-perfect jobs are rare and I may never see one in my lifetime. You're always going to have BS no matter where you go, just different BS.

I am thankful I am employed and that the benefits and quality of my life far outweigh the negatives.

eta: My job is in I.T.

Message edited 1/6/2010 2:09:34 PM.

Re: Do you feel appreciated at work?

i feel valued and appreciated by most people at my job, and not by a small group

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Re: Do you feel appreciated at work?

I have a new boss who is very appreciative of my work. He makes coming to work enjoyable. My line of work suffered big time in this economy and is still suffering. It's nice to feel appreciated when stuff is just going down the toilet and it feels like it's your fault.

Re: Do you feel appreciated at work?

Yes, I do. Not bragging, but I am often complimented on the quality of my work, and my progress reports from my supervisor are always positive. In addition, my co-workers often come to me for advice on how to handle a particular case, or what an order means, because even though I have only been here less than 4 years I have gained a lot of practical experience. That makes me feel appreciated.

ETA: As an example, we had to shift around our units about a year ago. My supervisor actually pulled rank (that she didn't have ) to keep me in her unti because another supervisor wanted to "steal" me. No joke. So that made me feel kind of awesome

Okay now I am bragging

Message edited 1/6/2010 2:16:54 PM.

Re: Do you feel appreciated at work?

Nope, not one bit.

I work for a Japanese company, not exactly your typical American style corporate environment. I've been here for 15 years, hope to stick it out for another 17 before I retire early.

My boss (Japanese) tends to focus on the negative instead of the positive and that is not exactly motivating. He micromanages all of us, which drives me crazy. My other boss (American) is lazy and dumps a lot of stuff on me.

Sadly, I had an informal group meeting with the new head of personnel and he asked me what made me come to work every day. As I told him, it is only because of the paycheck.

This is just my situation. I have the power to change it, just haven't reached that point yet.
My one saving grace is that I walk out of here at 5pm and don't think about this place until I walk back in at 8:30 the next day. For 8 hours a day, I can tolerate it, (with some of this and some LIF). Oh, and my benefits are pretty good too.

I envy your taking the plunge and making a change.
I wish you all the best in your new endeavour.

Re: Do you feel appreciated at work?

Yes, but by my peers.
Definitely NOT by management


I feel that management here has no clue as to what I actually do on a daily basis.

I received my review recently which listed my job description- which is only 1/10th of the functions I actually perform.

I dont get recognized, but really the only thing I can do is & bite my tounge because the benefits, paid time off & my commute make up for the nonsense I deal with.

Re: Do you feel appreciated at work?

No.

Re: Do you feel appreciated at work?

Yes, but by my immediate supervisor only.

Re: Do you feel appreciated at work?

By Patients & there families ALWAYS. Some supervisors appreciate me, but who cares anyway. I go to work to make money, not friends.

Re: Do you feel appreciated at work?

hmmm sounds like you work for the same company my husband does, but he works for korean company......but sounds like same exact environment.

He stays b/c its a paycheck.

Re: Do you feel appreciated at work?

Management--depends on the day. They have a different focus than I do (money) vs. social work which is my role.

I also have certain clients who I admit, find myself screening their phone calls.

I have found that the clients I find myself doing the most for are often the least appreciative and complain about everything. It's the nature of what I do though.

Re: Do you feel appreciated at work?

Yes and its makes it all the more worthwhile.

Re: Do you feel appreciated at work?

Not really. I work in dentistry. Right now is a really tough time. When my patient cancels, I'm not producing money. I may be working on other things that need to be done but there is definitely an air of "I can't believe I have to pay her for this hour". As of Jan 4th I now have to clock out for the appointment time when a patient cancels or doesn't show up.

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I teach.. and when I get caught up in a conversation with my principal, he will tell me what a great job I'm doing. I also heard from other people in the school that he has raved about my class to them on multiple occasions. I have to say... I DO feel appreciated... but at the same time, I always feel like it won't take much to p iss someone off!!

What's good is when I get formally observed, not only will the administrators comment on your faults, but they will also make a point of letting you know what your strengths are.

Re: Do you feel appreciated at work?

Nope. Lowest on the totem pole... I get all the blame, all the grief, I'm expected to know EVERYTHING even though I get told NOTHING. I get pulled in so many directions by each of my bosses that i never know what to do or who will be mad at me each day!

Re: Do you feel appreciated at work?

I work both for myself and a "boss".

"I" only care that my clients are happy. I am not looking for appreciation from my boss or co-workers.

Because I also have my own business, I don't really look for appreciation, I look to be the person people go to by providing a great service.

While networking is very important for me, I don't care what my boss thinks of me. From experience, bosses in my industry only care about $$$ If I leave somebody else will replace me.

So I provide a great service and I am paid for it. That's the only expectation I have from my boss.

Re: Do you feel appreciated at work?