Most employees take pride in their work and respond positively to supportive leadership. But when a team member begins to show signs of dissatisfaction it’s important to recognize it quickly before the problem escalates.
Unhappy workers can erode morale, affect productivity and increase staff turnover. Identifying these warning signs early on can save you time, money and stress.
1. They’re Not Working as Hard as They Used to
While it’s possible for employees to go through phases when they are not happy at work, a drastic and immediate drop in quality should raise alarms for business leaders. This type of shift can lead to serious problems for the team, the company, and the bottom line.
When people are passionate about their work, they often want to go above and beyond for the organization. They will often pitch ideas for new projects and actively seek feedback from co-workers to improve their job. However, an unhappy employee will only offer a minimal amount of effort.
If you notice that an employee is not working as hard, you should set up a private meeting to discuss the issue. Remember to remain calm and professional during this conversation. Otherwise, the employee could become irate and begin pointing fingers, which will only make things worse.
2. They’re Not Producing as Much
An unhappy employee might start to produce less at work. This could be an indication that they aren’t enjoying their job anymore or that something else is going on in their life (like a death, divorce, or other significant event) and it’s impacting their work performance.
They may also be missing deadlines and submitting substandard work. They could even begin to ask for more days off, which can be a sign of burnout or dissatisfaction.
In a private meeting, you can help them refocus their efforts and get back on track. This can be difficult because most employees don’t openly share their dissatisfaction in a face-to-face setting.
However, if they continue to miss meetings or check out early, it’s time to talk to them about their discontent. You should address the problem as quickly as possible to avoid a toxic workplace environment, which can hurt overall employee morale and productivity. A high turnover rate also hints at an unhappy workforce. This can be expensive and damaging to your business. If an employee has a high turnover rate, it’s likely because they don’t enjoy their job.
3. They’re Not Getting Along with Their Co-Workers
When employees are engaged with their work, they are more than happy to offer new ideas that may improve productivity. They also enjoy spending time with co-workers and are open to giving and receiving constructive feedback. If your employees are suddenly putting up walls around themselves or giving their co-workers the cold shoulder, this could be an indication that they are unhappy with their job and may have plans to leave.
Disgruntled workers usually morph into mouthpieces for dissatisfaction, which is why it’s so important to keep an eye out for their attitude and behavior. While a downward shift in attitude could be the result of a life event, such as a death in the family or a divorce, it can also be an indicator that your employees are unhappy with their jobs.
If an employee’s work attitude has been gradually changing, it’s time to sit them down and talk about their dissatisfaction. Try offering additional training opportunities or a mentorship program to help them stay motivated and engaged with their work. Investing in your employees’ happiness is essential to overall business success.
4. They’re Not Participating in Meetings
Most employees want to do a great job and feel good about themselves for their efforts. However, even the most loyal and committed team members will occasionally lose their drive. Dissatisfaction in the workplace usually comes about gradually, but it’s important to be on the lookout for any signs of a change in mood. Isolated incidents can be chalked up to a bad day or a personal matter, but if an employee starts regularly pulling a sickie or ignoring mandatory training sessions, you should take it seriously.
Another sign that an employee is not happy is if they start closing themselves off to coworkers. A typical workday involves chatting with the team during breaks, so if you notice one of your best workers starting to isolate themselves from the group it’s probably time for a chat. Disengaged workers may also sigh, fidget, smile less often or have closed off body language to signal their unhappiness. It’s also worth noticing how they participate in virtual meetings, as these can be difficult to pick up on.
5. They’re Secretive
As a leader, it is your responsibility to help employees be happy and productive. This requires that you take a look at each individual employee and determine what may be causing them to become dissatisfied.
If an employee is hesitant to tell you about their work problems, this could be a sign of discontent. If they are gossiping or talking behind co-workers’ backs, this also could indicate that they are unhappy. If an employee has a lot of secrets, it’s time to get to the bottom of the problem and find out why they aren’t telling you what is going on.
Another indication of an unhappy employee is if they begin making negative comments about the company on social media. This can be a very serious problem that should be addressed immediately. It’s also a red flag if an employee starts to receive unwarranted favoritism from their manager. This can be a sign of a toxic work environment that is affecting everyone else in the office. Taking note of these signs and addressing them quickly can turn an unhappy employee into a positive contributor to the company.