In almost all kinds of jobs, we face the roadblocks that hinder our work. Here are few ideas to address these issues.

Generally, employees want to do a good job. Their intention is to become a valuable member of the organization, and hopefully, impress their managers and customers in the process. However, some managers may unintentionally fail to notice the effort and contribution that their staff puts forward.  Yet, intentional or not, employees who feel underappreciated tend to become disengaged and even dissatisfied with their job.

Solution: Managers may not be as attuned to their subordinates’ work as the employees themselves. Employees should keep their superiors up-to-date on their accomplishments.

Every now and then, employees must contribute extra hours to complete a specific task or project. Yet, if an employee’s work hours increase to the point where his or her health and/or family life is affected, the employee may lose motivation to work to their best potential.

Solution: Employees in this situation should gently let management know the negative impact that the extensive work hours are having on other aspects of their life. While letting their superiors know that their job is important to them, they should ask for and/or offer suggestions for improving his work-life balance; for example, working from home when possible.

Although we may try to please everyone, sometimes we encounter an individual with whom it’s difficult to find common ground. Whether colleague, superior, or subordinate, when professional viewpoints don’t fit together, productivity and efficiency often suffer.

Solution: Deal with the individual by speaking to him or her in a neutral, non-accusatory tone. Try complimenting the individual on their hard work, and when the time is right, ask if you can set time aside to calmly settle your differences and discuss what might be the best way to go forward.  Remember that everyone has a story to tell, and often a person just needs to talk to someone who is willing to listen.

It’s not an unusual occurrence where an employee who feels they have aptly earned a promotion is overlooked for another colleague. While management’s decision may have been justified, this can still negatively affect the passed-over employee, having a damaging impact on job performance.

Solution: Employees in this situation should consider speaking to their manager and state openly that he or she had hoped to have the opportunity to move into the new role. However, follow up by asking what could be done to increase their future chances of a promotion, should another position become available.

This can be problematic especially if the concerned employee strongly feels that he or she has contributed a great deal to the organization.

Solution: The employee may consider addressing the issue if he or she did not receive a promised or contracted salary or pay increase. Ask to schedule a meeting with your manager, inquiring if there was a reason that the projected salary was not implemented. Sometimes, there may have been a clerical error or a misunderstanding. If not, inquire what can be done to put the agreed-upon salary into effect.