How To Tell Your Boss You’re Unhappy At Work

You deserve to be happy. Our constitution declares it. “We hold these truths to be self-evident: that all men are created equal; that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable rights; that among these are life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness." - Thomas Jefferson So, what do you do when you're unhappy at work? You should sit down and conduct a self-assessment. Emphasis on the word 'self.' Don't conduct this assessment with friends, family, or a significant other. They will cloud your judgement and get you more upset than you already are. When conducting your self-assessment ask yourself these three key questions:

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1. Am I upset over something temporary? If so, let the storm pass.

2. Am I being given what I deserve? It's important to be humble and honest when thinking about your answer to this question. If you truly deserve a raise and can back it up with proof via a salary analysis then that's one thing. However, if you feel you deserve a raise because of your years of service, that's another thing. Employment simply doesn't work that way anymore. Raises are granted to those who contribute to meeting the companies goals and objectives, and sitting in your chair longer than others doesn't qualify as meeting the companies goals and objectives.

3. Is it possible to reconcile your unhappiness? Did you have a workplace conflict with your boss? If so, is it possible to reconcile this conflict or has irreversible damage been done that both parties can not reconcile? If the conflict can be repaired, work towards conflict resolution.

After you've completed your self-assessment, you'll then want to ask yourself if discussing your grievances with your boss are going to help or hurt your cause. You must remember that even if you have a righteous reason for being upset and unhappy, it doesn't mean that your boss wants to hear about it. It's also possible that he/she may not be able to help you. If you feel like you have a grievance that's worthy of your boss's attention, discuss it with him/her in-person. Be sure not to use accusatory language such as “you," and instead state how you feel. This lightens the mood and keeps emotions at bay. You should also be prepared to provide valid reasons why your boss should actively work towards making you happy. Threatening to quit is not a valid reason. However, that doesn't mean you can't professionally leave your boss with this impression. There's nothing wrong with making your boss walk on eggshells. If you're truly valuable they will fight to keep you happy. This post was originally published at an earlier date.

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About the author

Michael Price is the author of What Next? The Millennial's Guide to Surviving and Thriving in the Real World, endorsed by Barbara Corcoran of ABC's Shark Tank. He is also the founder of Conquer Career Course, where he teaches students how to increase their salary, build a career with longevity and become unemployment-proof. View the trailer below: Disclosure: This post is sponsored by a CAREEREALISM-approved expert.