Do you find yourself rolling your eyes after 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 “end-zoned” your job.
Much like when you befriend a potential partner, end-zoning at work is when you’ve extinguished the passion in your working life, going through the motions with an attitude that says you’re well and truly over it.
And the cause of end zoning? Cynicism.
Once you’re caught in that cycle of skepticism and doubt, there’s no turning back. You placed your lane in the end zone.
Jill Cotton, career trends expert at Glass doorexplains that end zoning is not only bad for your current job, but can also affect you 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 in your role.
‘A dissatisfied feeling can easily lead to the search 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 danger that they will become less and less involved with the company and their position. Withdrawal is hard to hide and can often affect one’s productivity. Declining output is a red flag to your employer regarding your commitment to the company.”
This is according to research by Glassdoor the main drivers of employee satisfaction are the company’s culture and values, the strength of senior leadership and access to career opportunities.
They also found that one in five employees want their values to align with their employer’s mission and culture.
All this means that when your views don’t align with those of your employers, cynicism is likely to creep in — and the end zone could be near. “Cynicism can be hard to hide because an employee’s productivity often declines as their commitment to the company declines,” says Jill.
End-zoning 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, “A lack of self-confidence can make you feel invisible and unable to seize opportunities. Invisibility can cause employees to be overlooked for promotion.”
Career experts on TikTok have also warned their followers to watch out for cynicism at work.
Kelsea, known as The Seamless Coach, who focuses on wellness at work, says in a TikTok video that this emotion can often come before people quit and reach the end of their time with a company.
She says, ‘Not alone [cynicism] Also called the second stage of burnout, it’s also a compound emotion, meaning it doesn’t just happen overnight.
“You’ve probably passed the point where you’re just annoyed or exhausted.”
She says you probably feel “distress” with your manager or company at this stage.
“Once you get to this point, it’s very hard to pull back from it,” she adds.
“Even if they turned things around, for their part, you don’t trust them to do it.
“So it leaves you stuck and feeling out of control or almost helpless, which pushes you into further stages of burnout.”
If this resonates, it’s time to think about why you’re stuck in this 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 communicates something to you.
How do you get the spark working again
Jill shares her tips:
- Know the signs of cynicism: It may seem like your cynicism has appeared almost without warning. But take a good look at your recent behavior, because the slow-burning signs of cynicism can be hard to spot. Clear indications of cynicism include being less optimistic about your work, accepting praise from colleagues or your line manager without good intentions, negatively questioning the company’s strategies, and no longer viewing 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 evaluate what could be the cause of your dissatisfaction. And ask yourself the tricky question: Have you lost the confidence you once had in your job? Self-reflection can be difficult, so don’t be afraid to ask a trusted friend for help.
- Embrace positivity: Cynicism in the workplace doesn’t necessarily mean you should quit your job immediately. Create space to remind yourself why you took the position in the first place and what you liked about the company. Perhaps your priorities have changed since you joined the company or senior management has taken a new direction. Remembering the initial attraction will spark positivity and help you enjoy your role again.
- Talk to your line manager: If you feel cynical about your job or company, tell your manager about your concerns. 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. Due to the UK’s current labor shortage, companies will find it difficult to hire in 2023. So if you’re feeling cynical about your job, dust off your resume, expand your career network, and look for a new opportunity at a company you feel comfortable with. confident and can trust.
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