It can take months for someone to find their dream job in their company. Hence, it can be frustrating and saddening if your boss does not care about you or appreciate your efforts.
Unfortunately, this could happen in some toxic workplaces, where the boss wants the maximum output from their employees but has little concern about their growth.
On the other hand, the opposite is also true. Many employers are deeply concerned about the well-being of their workforce. They try to keep their employees engaged because they know that a strong workforce is the foundation of an organization.
Hence, as an employee, if you find that your employer cares about you, then you should appreciate it. Knowing that your boss appreciates your efforts can raise the morale of the entire workforce. As an employee, it will give you the impetus to work harder and stand by your boss if the company ever goes through a tough phase.
If you see signs that your boss cares about you, you will feel good about yourself and feel better about coming to work. It will result in healthy workplace dynamics, and you will genuinely want to do your best for your employer.
Why is it Important For Your Boss to Care About Employees?
Today, many employers understand that ensuring their employees’ well-being is the key to establishing and running a successful company. Clients may come and go, but if the employees are disgruntled and dissatisfied with the management, they will not do their best.
They may come to the office and go about their tasks for the sake of the salary but will not be productive to their fullest potential. They will need more motivation to develop creative ideas or go out of their way to stand by the company in need.
While many employers feel that running the company strictly and with an element of fear is the key to success, that is only partially true in modern times. The employees under such a boss will look for better opportunities and quit when they find something as good.
They will not have any sense of loyalty to the company. That’s why it’s essential that bosses genuinely care for their employees, not only in terms of what they can do for them but also as individuals.
Some Signs That Say Your Boss Cares About You
If your boss cares about you, you are sure to notice it. Some bosses care about all employees, while some employers give extra care and attention to employees who they believe have extra potential. Here are some signs that say that your boss cares about you.
1. Positive Feedback
If your boss cares about you, they will offer positive feedback and constructive criticism. They will not just criticize you if you make a mistake in your work but will offer ways to avoid it.
They will make sure you learn from the experience instead of criticizing you. That will also make you a better employee, and you can work without fear of your boss.
2. Listen to Grievances
A caring boss listens to the grievances and complaints of their employees and tries to solve their problems as much as possible. Of course, that does not mean that the employees get to make unreasonable demands.
Suppose the management permits and the budget allows. In that case, your employer will listen to your words and ensure you do not feel uncomfortable working for them. Such bosses promote inclusiveness, and they make sure there are no toxic dynamics or harassment at work.
3. Timely Promotions
A good employer will understand that while fulfillment is important, a big part of job satisfaction is the salary the employees draw at the end of the month. That is the primary reason why one comes to work.
Hence, if your employer gives you timely raises, and gives you good promotions, and perks, then they care for you. You would not have to keep reminding them or beg for what you deserve.
4. Good Working Conditions
If your boss cares about your working conditions, they care for you. To ensure that the HVAC works properly to the software being updated, a caring boss will ensure that the employees have everything they need to be productive throughout the day.
Even if you work outdoors, your employer will ensure you have all safety tools and follow OSHA regulations. In addition, they will also make sure that your insurance is up to date and that you have sick leaves so that you stay calm in the workplace.
5. Offers Training
Your boss cares about you if they offer your training opportunities. A good boss is mindful of the growth of their employees and believes they should have access to the right training opportunities.
They will suggest courses for you or will give you individual attention so that you learn while on the job. They will also suggest refresher courses and suggest programs where you can upgrade your skills that will pay off later.
6. No Constant Monitoring
One of the things that many employees find frustrating is when their bosses suffocate them while working. While every employee needs supervision, too much of it can become restricting. If your boss monitors you less, it is a sign that they care for you and have faith in you to do your job well.
Of course, they will check in from time to time and will also point out your mistakes. But by and large, once you have your instructions, they will allow you to work independently without constantly interrupting you. And they will always be ready to help when you ask for it.
7. Ensures Work-life Balance
Good employers understand that their employees’ lives do not just revolve around their jobs. They, too, have friends and families and have their passions to pursue. If your boss respects your work-life balance, it is a good sign they care about you. And a caring employer will respect that.
They understand that you will be a much better employee if you can get time to tend to your needs and care for your physical and mental health. Employers who do not have this understanding only make their employees resentful. If your boss cares about your work-life balance, they are not one of them.
8. Gives You Room to Grow
If your employer gives you room to grow, it is a sign they care for you. Many toxic employers feel threatened by an employee who does well and wants to thwart their progress.
However, your boss cares about you if they protect you and want to ensure your growth by giving you scope to prove yourself. It could mean giving you new and challenging projects to work on or giving you leadership and mentoring roles. They will prepare you for the next level and contribute to your growth.
Why Your Boss May Care About You But Could Be Hiding It?
As an employee, you must remember that not all bosses will be verbally expressive when showing they care for you. Some bosses may praise you verbally, but they will do little to contribute to your growth.
Besides, it would be best if you also made allowances for human nature- after all, not everyone can be openly demonstrative about how they feel.
Some employees think their bosses can be taken advantage of because they mistake their kindness and concern as a sign of weakness. However, it is true that some bosses may care for you but could be hiding it. The main reason is that they want you to stay focused.
But that is not true. Some bosses can be caring and yet be strict at the same time. And in such moments, they will probably hide their care for you. However, you will still notice that they deliver where it matters most.
For example, they might not praise you verbally. But will give you timely raises and offer constructive criticism in your annual reports. You will soon learn about this from your working dynamics and settle into a comfortable pattern.
Some Signs That Your Boss Wants You Gone
While some bosses care about you, some bosses do not. It is also a good idea to look for some of these signs to identify a toxic employer and do what you think would be best for you.
- The employer will openly criticize you without any constructive feedback.
- They will not be mindful of your work-life balance by assigning tasks outside your schedule.
- They will assign you difficult projects with very little time and will probably blame you if you fail to deliver.
- They always defer talks about raises and promotions.
- They will not care about the working conditions in the office.
- They will make you work for as little as possible to ensure their profits.
Conclusion
It is right to think about your progress. A boss who truly cares about you is worth working for. But some employers are so good that it is better to work for them for a little less salary than move to a company with a higher pay package, resulting in much higher stress levels.
Good and caring employers will not let their employees suffer from burnout and will not let them go through undue stress. While every workplace has challenges, a good employer will take active measures to mitigate them instead of bypassing them.
If you work under such an employer, you are sure to reach your potential as well.
