One of the best parts of your job is the sense that you’re part of the team. Working and supporting each other to achieve a goal while being able to rely on each other when things get tough. But everyone can work among equals if each person pulls his own weight. What if you’re the only one out there who keeps going above and beyond compared to others while not being rewarded fairly?  It’s an unfortunate outcome and one that can make you stress if you’re taken advantage of at work. The easiest way to determine if you are truly being taken advantage of is to keep an eye out for these 5 subtle signs:

1. You are doing the work of two or more people

Have you ever had the experience of working on two people’s work? Situations like this tend to occur, particularly if your company is understaffed or if you have a colleague resign before a replacement is found. The problem with handling a second person’s workload is that it can lead you to fall back on your main job duties. It can also drive you to the point where you feel overwhelmed and your personal life is affected. Managing the work of two people is hard, and the least you can do now is get organised so that you can do more at work. Keep a detailed record of your work progress on a daily basis because it can be used as a tool for any promotion or a raise.

2. You are spending most of your time doing work that are outside of your job scope

Occasionally you will be given tasks or assist in areas beyond your job role. This can be good exposure and a good way to build relationships with other colleagues and departments. And most of the time, you start wondering why this extra work is going to be your main job. While it’s important to be a team player and help out with work that isn’t relevant to your profession but pushing the boundaries of outside activities can become a burden, taking away your main priorities and restricting your ability to grow your job. Helping with other duties and projects is the essence of the field of work. The trick is to balance these demands, so you won’t end up burdening yourself with too much extra work that takes away your actual job responsibilities.

3. Other employees are getting credit for your ideas and work

Out of all the things your boss or colleagues can do, taking credit from your own work or ideas is one of the worst offences in being taken advantage of. Before you take on any actions, make sure you are taking the necessary steps based on logic and facts if you want to take back your own credits. Keep in mind that, your boss or colleague may not even realise that they are taking away your achievements. Arrange a private discussion to make your offence clear, state what you observed and ask if that is their true intention. The key here is to investigate and not accuse them of taking away your credit. Resigning should be your last resort and you should make it clear to the HR in writing if you have decided to go. Respond honestly, while emphasising that fairness and cooperation matters a lot for you. You will look more grounded and more trustworthy instead of badmouthing.

4. You ideas and opinions are not taken seriously

Various reasons lead to this problem, ranging from how you feel about yourself, how you present yourself, how people look at you based on your expertise, age, or just simply your colleagues are just biased. Regardless of the reasons above, you have to do something about it to make the change. How you deliver your message in terms of choice of words, voice and even your body language are important. Project confidence, have the conviction that your ideas are valuable and should be considered as a valuable insight that your boss and colleagues should know it. Change does not occur in an instant, it takes time for people to recognise and respect you as a colleague.

5.You are still waiting to be rewarded for your effort and contribution to the company

Seeking for a promotion or a raise is vital for career advancement, but if that time has passed and you’re left wondering about your current situation, you might want to give your manager a bit of a nudge. If the worst circumstances are that your boss refuses to reward you in spite of everything you have done for the company. You need to keep yourself together and to recognise that this very moment is the tipping moment in your career. Start gathering feedback from your manager and map out a plan for yourself. Look into any areas of improvement and set goals to ensure you meet all your manager’s expectations based on the feedback. If you think you deserve better in a different work environment or a new career path, the opportunity is out there for you to discover if you believe your current job has no future for you.

What other signs are considered as being taken advantage in the workplace? Leave us your thoughts on the comment sections below. Head over to Jobstore.com and unveil your next job opportunity.