My boss overworks and undervalues me
DEAR DEIDRE: Despite constantly going above and beyond at work, it feels like nothing I do is ever good enough for my boss.
I try to stay positive but his daily criticisms are really starting to run me down.
I’m a 25-year-old man and I work as a marketing assistant for a marketing firm.
When I got the job two years ago I was over the moon. I truly believed it was the beginning of my career.
In a desperate attempt to make a good impression, I started taking on all the extra jobs, working unpaid overtime and often skipping my lunches.
I thought it would pay off in the long run, but it’s quickly become clear that I’m being overworked and underpaid.
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The worst part is my boss never has a nice word to say about me and instead spends his time reprimanding me over the silliest of things. Nothing I do is ever right.
I’m so run down but the last thing I want to do is lose this job. Please help.
MORE FROM DEAR DEIDRE
DEIDRE SAYS: Your boss is taking advantage of you, and he knows it.
The way he’s treating you is unfair and it’s not surprising you’re feeling deflated and run down.
While it’s perfectly normal to feel slightly stressed at work from time to time, it shouldn’t be affecting your mental health.
Don’t feel you have to say yes to everything to be valued and certainly not to the point where it’s making you feel ill.
Is there someone else who you can talk to at work?
It would be worth contacting your HR team or Acas (acas.org.uk, 0300 123 1100) who give independent advice on workplace issues.
