Good Workers Eventually Get 5 Consequences At Work That Slackers Rarely Experience
Sora Shimazaki | PexelsMany high performers in the workplace struggle with perfectionism and people-pleasing.
In some cases, this intense motivation can be helpful for productivity, but it often leads to unintended consequences. As career coach Greg Langstaff explained, trying too hard isn't always a good thing. Because even great workers can fall victim to punishments, despite actual slackers never experiencing them.
Consequences even the best employees get at work that slacks rarely experience
1. They're 'rewarded' with more work without extra pay
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In a toxic workplace, many employees are not only under-compensated but underappreciated for their work. Instead of rewarding high performers with raises or time off, they hand them more work and harder tasks.
"According to Forbes Human Resources Council, high performers in the workplace are facing a number of disadvantages that their lower-performing colleagues are not having to deal with," Langstaff revealed. "This includes being assigned extra work without extra pay."
Despite them proving themselves to be competent and efficient, these good employees are being forced to take on more in exchange for nothing. They don't reap the benefits of their productivity, which means stagnant wages or an improper job title based on their daily workload.
2. They're responsible for more difficult or time-consuming tasks
Not only are good employees more likely to have larger workloads after proving their capabilities, they also tend to receive more difficult tasks. Their superiors think that having one set of responsibilities means they can take on more time-consuming tasks like managing a difficult team or following up with a troublesome client.
It's almost as if they're passing off the kind of difficult work they'd prefer to not do, or at least prefer not to monitor, in order to clear their plates. While it's a kind acknowledgment to be trusted at work, it only adds to the work stress. Employees become overwhelmed.
3. They accidentally make 'enemies' out of jealous peers
It's human nature to harbor jealousy in certain situations. But in a workplace, this resentment can lead to a great deal of conflict at work, making it hard for everyone.
As professor of leadership Benjamin Laker pointed out, "At work, people are not only earning money. They are also trying to build identity, status, confidence, and a sense of progress. So when a co-worker gets praised, promoted, included, or admired in a way you want for yourself, the emotional response can feel far more personal than it looks from the outside."
As resentment grows and attitudes shift, conflict brews. To combat these kinds of relationships, it's essential that bosses lean into their active leadership and ensure all their employees' needs are met.
4. They face retribution from fearful bosses
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As high-achievers and good employees continue to give more and more of themselves to their jobs, it's not just their colleagues and peers that grow jealous of their work ethics. In fact, their bosses may become this way as well.
"They might even be facing retribution from bosses who are afraid they're going to come for their jobs," Langstaff added. "Of course, in many extreme situations, these higher performers just face higher expectations."
There's a sense of individual competitiveness in the workplace today, whether it's fighting for raises or purely for a confidence boost. As leadership strives for control and superiority, any kind of success below them isn't seen as reflective of their good work, but rather, a threat to their power.
5. They have higher expectations, often leading to burnout
While excellent, high-achieving employees are more likely to experience burnout and have the biggest percentage of work-related stressors, their struggles also tend to fly under the radar.
They're less likely to ask for help or take a step back from work to rest. This only exacerbates their dissatisfaction. Even on their off days, they're held to a higher standard than their lower-achieving colleagues, which creates a cycle of stress.
In a healthy workplace, even these employees would be granted space to rest comfortably without fear of losing their jobs or status.
In fact, healthy workplaces and bosses are adamant about making rest and mental health advocacy a priority. They're not afraid to meet their employees where they are, ensuring everyone is cared for and motivated to do their best work.
Zayda Slabbekoorn is a senior editorial strategist with a bachelor's degree in social relations & policy and gender studies who focuses on psychology, relationships, self-help, and human interest stories.
