Why You Are Unhappy at Work

Sometimes the deck is stacked against you at work. Learn more about how you can overcome toxic co-workers, paycheck blues, and a job set up for failure.

by Sean Silverthorne

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Some 71 percent of American workers are hunting for new jobs, and a hefty percentage feel they are not paid fairly or get enough recognition, according to the 2017 Mind the Workplace report. Time pressure, megalomaniacal supervisors, grumpy office mates, all contribute to this sour-stomach feeling. What can be done to improve the office environment?

Research by Harvard Business School professors suggests these problems are not only common—but solvable. Here are some of our most insightful stories about unmotivated employees and what can be done for them.

Fixing the ‘I Hate Work’ Blues

A shockingly low 25 percent of employees feel connection to their company's mission. Bill George discusses fixes to rebuild purpose in their work.

How Small Wins Unleash Creativity

The most powerful tool managers have to motivate employees is a simple one: recognition. Teresa Amabile shows the importance of being supportive.

Hazard Warning: The Unacceptable Cost of Toxic Workers

A productive workplace can be easily disrupted by one unruly employee. Here's what companies can do to detox the problem-makers.

If the CEO’s High Salary Isn't Justified to Employees, Firm Performance May Suffer

Does your CEO make more than the GDP of most industrialized nations? You may work less hard as a result, suggests research by Ethan Rouen.

Bad At Your Job? Maybe It's the Job's Fault

A poorly designed job can work against the efforts of even the most dedicated worker. Robert Simons explains how to gauge jobs for the right mix of organizational support and responsibility.

Why Can't Organizations Engage Their Employees?

Who is responsible for generating employee engagement? asks James Heskett The employee or the employee's managers?

What's a Boss Worth?

Good bosses have a multiplier effect that ups everyone’s game. Christopher Stanton uses an experiment with rotating supervisors to study their influence over teams.