Are You Overworked and Underpaid?

 

If you constantly find yourself pushing beyond your limits, you might be taken advantage of without even being aware of it. Good employees often go above and beyond to maintain productivity and complete their tasks. However, their strong work ethic can make them blind to the warning signs of being underpaid and overworked. Some managers recognise this dedication in workers and assign them the workload of multiple employees without ever offering a raise.

 

Source: https://ms.m.wikipedia.org

 

Here are five indicators that you might be underpaid and overworked:

 

1. An endless to-do list

Your to-do list grows longer each day, and you constantly find yourself having to play catch-up – even working through lunch.

Despite handling an ever-growing workload, you often do not receive compensation for your efforts. Instead, you experience stress and anxiety when you can’t complete everything, failing to realise that no single person should be responsible for such an excessive amount of work.

 

2. An impossibly packed calendar

Good workers are often scheduled for back-to-back meetings, with multiple deadlines stacked on top of each other. A packed calendar might seem like a badge of honour but it’s a sign of being overburdened and underpaid.

 

Even the best employees should not be expected to juggle so much at once. When responsibilities continue to pile up without a salary increase or support from leadership, it’s a clear indication of underpayment.

 

3. Often work beyond office hours

Does a standard 9-to-5 schedule not enough to complete your tasks? Do you find yourself starting early, staying late, and even working on weekends to keep up?

 

Perhaps you consistently check emails while on vacation, never truly disconnecting. Yet, despite working extra hours, you are not paid any extra for your dedication. Working longer and staying late in the office does not necessarily mean you are getting more done.

Studies show that people are truly productive for only about three hours a day, so working longer does not necessarily mean getting more done. Instead, it leads to exhaustion without additional compensation. 

 

4. Extra tasks without extra pay

Underpaid employees are often expected to perform duties beyond their job description. They take on additional work, learn new skills outside their role, and become the go-to person for tasks they were never hired to do.

 

While growth and learning are valuable, doing multiple jobs without an increase in salary is a sign of underpayment. When employees are repeatedly pulled away from their main role to handle unpaid labour, they may start feeling resentful, disengaged and undervalued.

 

5. Receive compliments, not remuneration

Verbal recognition is nice, but it doesn’t pay the bills. Many underpaid employees receive compliments but no financial reward for their efforts.

Being called a “rockstar” in meetings doesn’t change the fact that you are overworked and exhausted. True recognition should come in the form of fair compensation.

 

Know your worth

Employers do not “accidentally” overwork employees – it is often a calculated decision that benefits the company while leaving workers exhausted.

 

If you find yourself constantly facing any of the above, it may be time for a conversation with your manager. Your workload should be adjusted, and your pay should reflect your contributions – or it may be time to find an employer who values your hard work.

 

Reference:

5 signs you’re overworked and underpaid, Anisa Aznan/Jobstore, 19 July 2025