10 Reasons Why You Hate Your Job

It is Proven that Most People Hate Their Job

In a Gallop Poll, it was discovered that the vast majority of employees worldwide hate their jobs.  But why do most people hate their jobs. There are several reasons actually, but they all can point back to one broad reason – their needs are not being adequately fulfilled.

Where Does Your Job Put You on Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs?

Maslow’s hierarchy of needs speaks of five types of needs that all human beings require for a happy life. These needs relate to all aspects of life including work. As an employee, you should understand these basic needs and determine if you are being adequately engaged in your job. Understanding this could unearth the root to why you most likely, hate your job.

Does Your Job Help You Meet Your Physiological Needs?

At the very base are physiological needs, such as the need for food, water, shelter, clothing and so on. Most people start off working to meet these basic needs. In other words, most people have jobs to simply pay the bills. Now while this may be important it does not truly satisfy people’s innate desire to be more and to do more with their lives. Although physiological needs are considered very basic, you’d be surprised how many people are barely able to make ends meet and to satisfy these basic human requirements. They get a job in the hope that the job will be a means to achieving this basic objective. However, many are still struggling. As a consequence they are unhappy in their current jobs because they are not making enough to cater to their physiological needs.

Do You Feel Safe in the Work Place?

Moving up the pyramid we find safety as another important need that must be met. Safety is another basic human need. Every human being wants to feel safe – safe from harm, job security, and so on. So we see that many people take up certain types of employment because they perceive a particular level of stability and job security. People will definitely be unhappy if they cannot see a future for themselves. If their job does not provide a certain level of security and comfort the they will be unhappy. However, job security can only carry you so far. If your job is ‘safe’ but you have no real sense of meaning then you are bound to be unhappy. 

Do You Feel as a Sense of Belonging at Your Place of Work?

Another need that must be fulfilled, according to Maslow, is the need to feel love or a sense of belonging. You see, we humans are social beings. As mammals, we have an innate need for human contact and a sense of being part of a ‘herd’, be it family, a gang, a religious group, a particular ethnic group, and accepted by society. Of course, work plays a critical role in this sense of belonging. After all, we spend about one third of our lives in a work-related environment. So being in the workforce satisfies the need to belong. However, if this is not nurtured, then the feeling of belonging can disappear. If employers do not find ways to foster team spirit, then the feeling of belonging can disappear. Family days, staff meetings, open and free discussions, having a positive informal culture within the organisation can all foster a feeling of belonging. However, many organisations are task and results oriented. They are not interested in creating a family atmosphere so much. They are more interested in getting the job done. But little do they know that creating positive team dynamics can increase productivity. 

Does Your Job Give You a Sense of Meaning and Purpose?

Once the three basic human needs are met (physiological, safety and belonging), people then want to look for more meaningful opportunities within the work place. The two top needs that fuel a true sense of purpose are the needs for status and self-actualization. Basically, people need to know that they matter and that they can make their mark. When employees do not feel rewarded, recognized, trained, promoted, given important tasks or do not see how their contribution impacts on the bottom line of the organization, they tend to start losing interest in their job. 

Many Bosses Do Not Get it Right

The unfortunate thing is that most employers are still stuck on the lower end of the spectrum in terms of trying to make their employees happy. Many employees today, if asked if they are paid well, may very well say that they are not. If asked if they are properly respected, rewarded and recognized, I’m sure many may also say no to that question.

Ten Reasons You May Hate Your Job

Here are 10 reasons people may hate their job. See if you can identify the relationship of each of these reasons to the Maslow pyramid of needs. The 10 reasons people hate their jobs include:

1. They don’t get the respect they deserve;

2. They don’t have the right tools, equipment or guidance to help them get the job done. Their abilities are restricted as a result;

3. They are not treated fairly;

4. They have no confidence in the future – the future of the company or their future within the company. No room for personal growth;

5. They are underpaid and do not feel financially free as a consequence. They live pay check to pay check;

6. They are not rewarded and recognized for their work and accomplishments. They are not appreciated;

7. They feel they do not have adequate time to have a personal life. Their life revolves around their job. They neglect their health and family as a consequence and cannot do the things they love. They are overworked;

8. They feel as if their ideas and creativity are being stiffled. They are not listened to.

9. They feel uncomfortable in their work environment. Either their boss is a tyrant or the relationships with their co-workers are difficult;

10. They have been given no room for personal development and growth. The employer did not create or allow opportunities for training and professional development.

Were you able to see the link of each point with the Maslow hierarchy of needs pyramid? Out of the ten items listed above, which ones do you identify with? Take this short assessment to determine if you are truly happy in the work place. This is one test where the higher you score the more you lose. When finished, come back and share what score you received.

Don’t Worry. There’s Still Hope

If you have come to realize that you are unhappy in your current job and are looking for a way out, this is your first step towards solving the problem. You may even be afraid of getting a job elsewhere, just in case you move from the frying pan into the fire. But there are other ways to being unhappy. Happiness is a choice. And happiness in your jobb is no different. If you wish to move away from a job and want to find real joy instead, I just might have the solution for you. It’s not for everyone, and it is definitely not a ‘quick fix’. But you can have a look my recommendation and decide for yourself. 

If your J.O.B. is not cutting it, then you should consciously make the decision to find J.O.Y. You are meant to be free. You were born to be happy. Joy is your natural birthright. You have as much right as any other human being on planet earth to happiness and fulfillment. The only thing standing in the way is you. Take a leap of faith today. 

Take the time to choose your next step wisely. Don’t just see it as an escape, but rather embrace it as an opportunity for you to make a better life for yourself. You deserve financial freedom. You deserve to feel respected and wanted. You deserve to be creative and to matter. You are worthy enough to make a huge positive impact on this planet. 

Join me and over 800,000 other people who have decided that enough is enough and are opening up themselves to wonderful possibilities.