It can be hard to get out of this mindset (Photo: Getty Images/iStockphoto)

Do you roll your eyes at every comment your boss makes? You may feel that your workplace is not transparent, as if something strange is going on.

Well, whether you realize it or not, you may have an endzone to your job.

Like befriending a potential partner, End-Zones at work is when you’ve extinguished the passion in your work life and are going through the motions with an attitude that says you’re really over it.

And the cause of the final zoning plan? Cynicism.

Once you are caught in this cycle of skepticism and doubt, there is no going back. You placed your lane in the end zone.

Jill Cotton, career trends expert at glass doorexplains that de-zoning is not only bad for your current job, but can also have consequences if you move elsewhere.

She tells Metro.co.uk: “Cynicism in the workplace is dangerous because without trust in your employer you are likely to be dissatisfied with your role.

“A dissatisfied feeling can easily lead to looking for new opportunities. But if employees don’t identify the source of the cynicism, they risk repeating the same behavior in their next job.

“If employees stay in their jobs, there is a risk that they care less and less about the company and their position. Withdrawal is hard to hide and can often hinder productivity. A drop in production is a warning to your employer that you are involved in the business.”

Glassdoor research shows that company culture and values, strong leadership and access to career opportunities are the top drivers of employee satisfaction.

They also found that one in five employees want their values ​​to align with their employer’s mission and culture.

All this means that cynicism is likely to creep in when your views disagree with your employer’s – and the end zone could be near. “Cynicism can be hard to hide because an employee’s productivity often drops when their involvement with the company declines,” says Jill.

Endzoning also means you probably feel like you’re not doing your best. Jill says it can “dampen your confidence and negatively impact your performance.”

She adds: “Lack of self-confidence can make you feel invisible and unable to take advantage of opportunities. Invisibility can lead to employees being overlooked for promotions.”

Career experts on TikTok have also warned their followers to watch out for workplace cynicism.

Kelsea, known as The Seamless Coach who focuses on wellness at work, says in a TikTok video that this emotion can often occur before people quit and reach the end of their employment with a company.

She says, “Not alone [cynicism] Also referred to as a second-stage burnout, it’s also a compound emotion, meaning it doesn’t happen overnight.

“You’ve probably passed the point where you’re just annoyed or exhausted.”

@deseamlesscoach

Have you ever experienced this? For tips on wellbeing at work see #wellbeingcoach #burnoutprevention #wellbeingatwork #millennialsoftiktok

♬ Original sound – Darcy Stokes

She says you probably feel “burdened” by your manager or your company at this stage.

“Once you get to that point, it’s really hard to get out of there,” she adds.

“Even if they change course, you don’t trust them for their part.

“It leaves you stuck and feeling out of control or almost helpless, which pushes you into further stages of burnout.”

If that resonates, it’s time to consider why you’re stuck in that emotion — and then decide if it’s time to move on or if you can live with it.

This cynicism is there for a reason and it tells you something.



How do you get the spark working again

Jill shares her tips:

  • Know the signs of cynicism: It may seem like your cynicism surfaced almost without warning. But take a good look at your current behavior, because the slow-burning signs of cynicism can be hard to spot. Obvious signs of cynicism include being less optimistic about your work, accepting compliments from colleagues or your manager without good intentions, negatively questioning the company’s strategies, and no longer seeing those around you as sincere.
  • Admit there is a problem: You cannot solve a problem if you think there is no problem. So if you feel unhappy at work, take a step back and consider what could be the cause of your unhappiness. And ask yourself the tricky question: Have you lost the confidence you used to have in your work? Self-reflection can be difficult, so don’t be afraid to ask a trusted friend for help.
  • Accept positivity: Cynicism in the workplace doesn’t necessarily mean you should quit your job immediately. Make room to remind yourself why you took the job in the first place and what you liked about the company. Perhaps your priorities have changed since you joined the company, or management has taken a new direction. Remembering the initial attraction will spark positivity and help you enjoy your role again.
  • Talk to your manager: If you are cynical about your job or your company, share your concerns with your manager. Even if you get answers you don’t want to hear, the answers should be enough to assess whether the job and company are still a good fit for you.
  • Don’t be afraid to stop: The stigma that once clung to job hopping has been lifted. If a job doesn’t make you happy, there are other avenues you can follow. The current labor shortage in the UK will mean that companies will struggle to recruit new employees in 2023. So if you’re cynical about your job, dust off your resume, expand your career network, and find a new job at a company you’re comfortable with. confident and can be trusted.