{"id":15350,"date":"2023-06-06T05:08:00","date_gmt":"2023-06-06T11:08:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.lexingtonlaw.com\/blog\/?p=15350"},"modified":"2025-06-06T14:26:49","modified_gmt":"2025-06-06T20:26:49","slug":"psychology-overworked-and-underpaid","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.lexingtonlaw.com\/blog\/finance\/psychology-overworked-and-underpaid.html","title":{"rendered":"The psychology of being overworked and underpaid"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"570\" height=\"190\" src=\"https:\/\/www.lexingtonlaw.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/woman-stressed-laptop-overworked-underpaid.jpg\" alt=\"Stressed woman with hands on her head looking at a laptop.\" class=\"wp-image-15360\"\/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p><em>The information provided on this website does not, and is not intended to, act as legal, financial or credit advice. <\/em><a aria-label=\"undefined (opens in a new tab)\" href=\"https:\/\/www.lexingtonlaw.com\/disclaimer\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"><em>See Lexington Law\u2019s editorial disclosure for more information.<\/em><\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-white-color has-text-color has-background has-link-color wp-elements-c74420c9657ae7f2e47f26f1ca2eee2d\" style=\"background-color:#00204f\">Being overworked and underpaid can ultimately lead to a multitude of feelings that can cause more harm than good.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>A competitive salary is something we all strive for in our careers, but for some, the salary we know we deserve doesn\u2019t necessarily match our reality. An employee may put in extra hours, take on more responsibilities and go the extra mile, but they still may not be properly compensated for their work.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Being overworked and underpaid isn\u2019t as uncommon as we think. &nbsp;According to a recent 2022 survey conducted by&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.gartner.com\/en\/newsroom\/11-28-22-gartner-hr-research-finds-only-thirty-two-percent-of-employees-believe-their-pay-is-fair\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Gartner<\/a>, only 32 percent of U.S. workers believe their pay is fair.&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Unfortunately, this can have a negative impact on a person\u2019s productivity, mental health and even credit health. So, what can you do if you feel you\u2019re not being <a href=\"https:\/\/www.lexingtonlaw.com\/blog\/news\/salary-fairness-survey.html\" target=\"_blank\" aria-label=\"undefined (opens in a new tab)\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">fairly paid<\/a> at work?&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Read on to find out the psychological impact of being overworked and underpaid and how you can combat this issue\u2014or jump straight to the <a href=\"#infographic\">infographic<\/a> below.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-impacts-of-being-overworked-and-underpaid\">Impacts of being overworked and underpaid<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Sometimes we\u2019re so eager to accept a job that we settle for whatever salary we\u2019re offered, only to find out that what we\u2019re given doesn\u2019t match the responsibilities we\u2019ve taken on. Or, you may have been at a company for a while and experienced an increase in your workload but seen little to no increase in pay.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Being overworked and underpaid can ultimately lead to a multitude of feelings that can cause more harm than good. Here are three signs you shouldn\u2019t ignore:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-decrease-in-productivity\">Decrease in productivity<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Employees who work long hours and have heavier workloads aren\u2019t necessarily the most productive. Some may think the more hours you work, the more you\u2019ll get done, but for most, this can have the opposite effect.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The more work an employee takes on, the more prone they become to mistakes. This can lead to feelings of burnout, <a aria-label=\"undefined (opens in a new tab)\" href=\"https:\/\/www.lexingtonlaw.com\/blog\/news\/effects-of-sleep-deprivation.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">sleep deprivation<\/a> and work-life imbalance due to stress and the inability to keep up with the heavy workload. On top of that, if you\u2019re being underpaid, it can make it extremely difficult to stay motivated in your role.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>A <a href=\"https:\/\/www.indeed.com\/lead\/preventing-employee-burnout-report\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">2021 Indeed survey<\/a> found that&nbsp;found that 52 percent of employees feel burned out at work. When it becomes hard to juggle workplace stress, people can find it difficult to function and stay productive. Another 2021 study conducted by the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.apa.org\/monitor\/2022\/01\/special-burnout-stress#:~:text=Nearly%203%20in%205%20employees,effort%20at%20work%20(19%25).\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">American Psychological Association<\/a> found that 26 percent of workers reported a lack of interest, motivation or energy when experiencing symptoms of burnout.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"975\" height=\"456\" src=\"https:\/\/www.lexingtonlaw.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/06\/image-4.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-19657\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.lexingtonlaw.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/06\/image-4.png 975w, https:\/\/www.lexingtonlaw.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/06\/image-4-768x359.png 768w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 767px) 600px, calc(100vw - 35px)\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>Employees may start to feel disconnected from their work and may even have built up resentment toward their employer because of their lack of compensation, causing a never-ending cycle of stress, burnout and lack of productivity. These feelings can ultimately impact employees\u2019 overall well-being and mental health.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-negative-effects-on-your-mental-well-being\">Negative effects on your mental well-being&nbsp;<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Most people spend the majority of their time in the workplace. Unfortunately for some, the stresses from work can be hard to shut off even when leaving the office for the day. According to a study conducted by <a href=\"https:\/\/www.wrike.com\/blog\/stress-epidemic-report-announcement\/\" target=\"_blank\" aria-label=\"undefined (opens in a new tab)\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Wrike<\/a>, 94 percent of employees said they felt stress at work and 54 percent said the stresses from work negatively affect their home life.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1500\" height=\"700\" src=\"https:\/\/www.lexingtonlaw.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/work-impact-mental-health.png\" alt=\"57.9% of employees said work has impacted their mental health in some way. Source: Paychex.\" class=\"wp-image-15352\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.lexingtonlaw.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/work-impact-mental-health.png 1500w, https:\/\/www.lexingtonlaw.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/work-impact-mental-health-1100x513.png 1100w, https:\/\/www.lexingtonlaw.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/work-impact-mental-health-768x358.png 768w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 767px) 600px, calc(100vw - 35px)\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>Long work hours, an increase in work-related tasks and insufficient pay can all start to take a toll on a person\u2019s physical and mental health. A survey conducted by <a href=\"https:\/\/www.paychex.com\/articles\/human-resources\/effect-of-mental-health-at-work\" target=\"_blank\" aria-label=\"undefined (opens in a new tab)\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Paychex<\/a> found that 57.9 percent of employees said work impacted their mental health in some way.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-damaged-credit-health\">Damaged credit health&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Aside from mental health and productivity, being underpaid can start to hurt your financial standing. Though your income doesn\u2019t have a direct impact on your <a href=\"https:\/\/www.lexingtonlaw.com\/blog\/credit-101\/7-apps-for-improving-your-credit-score.html\" target=\"_blank\" aria-label=\"undefined (opens in a new tab)\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">credit score<\/a>, lack of income can make it more difficult to pay your bills on time. A survey by <a href=\"https:\/\/wallethub.com\/blog\/late-payments-survey\/58680\/\" target=\"_blank\" aria-label=\"undefined (opens in a new tab)\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">WalletHub<\/a> found that 30 percent of respondents missed credit card payments because they didn\u2019t have enough money.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1500\" height=\"700\" src=\"https:\/\/www.lexingtonlaw.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/missed-credit-card-payment.png\" alt=\"30% of people missed credit card payments because they didn\u2019t have enough money. Source: WalletHub.\" class=\"wp-image-15353\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.lexingtonlaw.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/missed-credit-card-payment.png 1500w, https:\/\/www.lexingtonlaw.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/missed-credit-card-payment-1100x513.png 1100w, https:\/\/www.lexingtonlaw.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/missed-credit-card-payment-768x358.png 768w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 767px) 600px, calc(100vw - 35px)\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>A <a aria-label=\"undefined (opens in a new tab)\" href=\"https:\/\/news.gallup.com\/poll\/109618\/half-americans-say-they-underpaid.aspx\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Gallup poll<\/a> also found that 55 percent of women feel they are underpaid for the amount of work they do, which could play into why they hold <a aria-label=\"undefined (opens in a new tab)\" href=\"https:\/\/www.aauw.org\/resources\/research\/deeper-in-debt\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">nearly two-thirds of the student loan debt<\/a> in the U.S. With women receiving lower-than-average wages, keeping up with <a aria-label=\"undefined (opens in a new tab)\" href=\"https:\/\/www.lexingtonlaw.com\/bad-credit\/student-loans\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">student loans<\/a> and other debt payments becomes harder, thus affecting their overall credit health.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">5 signs you are being underpaid and overworked&nbsp;<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>It\u2019s possible that you\u2019re being overworked and\/or underpaid without even knowing it. The following signs should prompt you to take a closer look at how you\u2019re being treated at work.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">1. Your physical health has taken a hit<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Everybody knows that stress isn\u2019t kind to the body, especially in excess. Plus, if you work a desk job that requires you to sit and stare at a screen all day, your posture, heart health and vision can suffer. <a href=\"https:\/\/www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/pmc\/articles\/PMC5618737\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Studies<\/a> back this claim, showing that sitting at a desk for long hours increases the risk of adverse health outcomes. If you\u2019ve noticed your physical health isn\u2019t doing too hot recently, there\u2019s a chance you\u2019re being overworked.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">2. Your mental health is deteriorating<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>You may find yourself increasingly stressed if you\u2019re working long hours and aren\u2019t making enough money to comfortably support yourself and your family. Plus, anxiety and depression often go hand in hand with stress. If you find yourself anxious about going into work, overly fatigued or less interested in your favorite activities outside of work, long work hours or not enough pay may be responsible.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">3. You need stimulants to get through your day<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/today.yougov.com\/topics\/society\/articles-reports\/2022\/09\/29\/how-do-people-us-take-their-coffee\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Three-quarters<\/a> of American adults drink coffee, so it isn\u2019t necessarily a red flag to be among this number. An issue arises when you rely on too much caffeine or other stimulants to power through your workday. Does it feel like your workload would be impossible without two or more servings of caffeine? If so, there\u2019s a decent chance you\u2019re being overworked.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">4. You\u2019ve taken on new responsibilities without getting a raise<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Whether you\u2019re given a shiny new title or not, new responsibilities should come with compensation. If you\u2019ve recently been promoted or had new challenging or time-consuming responsibilities gradually added to your plate without a corresponding increase in pay, there\u2019s a good chance you\u2019re being overworked and underpaid.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">5. Your workplace has a high turnover rate<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>If an organization can\u2019t seem to retain its employees, chances are there\u2019s a chronic issue with employee dissatisfaction at hand. High stress levels and low pay are common reasons people quit their jobs and seek something better.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-6-ways-to-handle-being-underpaid\">6 ways to handle being underpaid&nbsp;<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Being underpaid is a problem that many people find themselves in and struggle to get out of. The only way to get out of this predicament is to take matters into your own hands. Here are six ways you can get out of being underpaid:&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-1-negotiate-a-competitive-raise\">1. Negotiate a competitive raise<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1500\" height=\"700\" src=\"https:\/\/www.lexingtonlaw.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/present-employer-with-exact-dollar-amount.png\" alt=\"Present your employer with an exact dollar amount and provide documentation of your work and performance.\" class=\"wp-image-15354\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.lexingtonlaw.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/present-employer-with-exact-dollar-amount.png 1500w, https:\/\/www.lexingtonlaw.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/present-employer-with-exact-dollar-amount-1100x513.png 1100w, https:\/\/www.lexingtonlaw.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/present-employer-with-exact-dollar-amount-768x358.png 768w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 767px) 600px, calc(100vw - 35px)\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>Asking for a raise can seem scary and intimidating, but it\u2019s an important step toward solving your problem. Though it\u2019s not always the easiest thing to do, you&#8217;ll never know if you don\u2019t ask.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>When asking for a raise, make sure you do your research on your industry\u2019s salary range and provide an exact number when meeting with your employer. Providing an exact dollar amount as opposed to a salary range will show your employer that you know what you want and will make the negotiation process easier. Try aiming a little higher than what you would like to leave room for negotiation. When researching salary ranges, tools like <a href=\"https:\/\/www.salary.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" aria-label=\"undefined (opens in a new tab)\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Salary.com<\/a> and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.linkedin.com\/salary\/\" target=\"_blank\" aria-label=\"undefined (opens in a new tab)\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">LinkedIn\u2019s salary tool<\/a> can be a huge help.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>To support your case, come to the meeting with documentation to show your work and accomplishments thus far. Provide hard data, numbers, positive feedback you\u2019ve received in the past and all of the ways you have helped and plan to help increase the company\u2019s bottom line. The more evidence you provide, the better chance you have at landing that raise.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-2-review-company-growth-path-and-policies\">2. Review company growth path and policies&nbsp;<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1500\" height=\"700\" src=\"https:\/\/www.lexingtonlaw.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/schedule-performance-review.png\" alt=\"Schedule an official performance review with your employer to discuss your progress and an increase in pay.\" class=\"wp-image-15355\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.lexingtonlaw.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/schedule-performance-review.png 1500w, https:\/\/www.lexingtonlaw.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/schedule-performance-review-1100x513.png 1100w, https:\/\/www.lexingtonlaw.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/schedule-performance-review-768x358.png 768w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 767px) 600px, calc(100vw - 35px)\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>Most companies give performance reviews and have a growth path clearly noted, so it may be worth revisiting your company policies first. Growth paths are important in understanding what\u2019s expected from your employer in order to progress within the company and earn a higher wage.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>If you haven\u2019t received an official review, get one on the schedule with your boss. A 2018 report found that <a href=\"https:\/\/www.prnewswire.com\/news-releases\/new-study-uncovers-major-gap-in-employee-and-employer-expectations-for-performance-management-and-growth-300624074.html\" target=\"_blank\" aria-label=\"undefined (opens in a new tab)\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">68 percent of executives<\/a> say they learn about employees\u2019 concerns for the first time during performance reviews. If you\u2019re concerned about your growth within the company, don\u2019t wait for your employer to come to you about it.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-3-start-a-conversation-about-your-workload\">3. Start a conversation about your workload<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1500\" height=\"700\" src=\"https:\/\/www.lexingtonlaw.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/decrease-your-hours.png\" alt=\"Consider decreasing your hours to alleviate workplace stress and create a healthier work-life balance.\n\" class=\"wp-image-15356\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.lexingtonlaw.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/decrease-your-hours.png 1500w, https:\/\/www.lexingtonlaw.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/decrease-your-hours-1100x513.png 1100w, https:\/\/www.lexingtonlaw.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/decrease-your-hours-768x358.png 768w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 767px) 600px, calc(100vw - 35px)\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>If you\u2019re continuing to work long hours and find the pay still isn\u2019t worth it, it might be beneficial to have an open and honest conversation about the amount of work you\u2019ve taken on. If your employer is unable to give you a raise, you may want to discuss cutting back on your hours or workload.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The result may not be an increase in pay, but you may be happier in your role and be able to perform better if they ease up on your day-to-day tasks. Your pay sometimes isn\u2019t worth being unhappy at work. In fact, one of our studies on <a href=\"https:\/\/www.lexingtonlaw.com\/blog\/news\/employee-happiness.html\" target=\"_blank\" aria-label=\"undefined (opens in a new tab)\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">employee happiness<\/a> found that 60 percent of Americans said they would take a job they loved with half their current income over one they hated.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Employers may not be aware of the impact the extra work is having on you, so always try your best to be transparent about your load to find a healthy compromise.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-4-start-exploring-other-options\">4. Start exploring other options&nbsp;<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1500\" height=\"700\" src=\"https:\/\/www.lexingtonlaw.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/health-insurance-other-policies.png\" alt=\"Aside from monetary benefits, take other factors into consideration, such as health insurance coverage and time-off policies.\" class=\"wp-image-15357\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.lexingtonlaw.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/health-insurance-other-policies.png 1500w, https:\/\/www.lexingtonlaw.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/health-insurance-other-policies-1100x513.png 1100w, https:\/\/www.lexingtonlaw.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/health-insurance-other-policies-768x358.png 768w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 767px) 600px, calc(100vw - 35px)\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>If your request for a raise gets denied and you still find yourself in the same predicament, you might want to start exploring other options. In fact, those experiencing symptoms of burnout at work are <a href=\"https:\/\/www.gallup.com\/workplace\/282659\/employee-burnout-perspective-paper.aspx\" target=\"_blank\" aria-label=\"undefined (opens in a new tab)\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">2.6 times as likely<\/a> to actively be looking for another job.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Though monetary <a href=\"https:\/\/www.lexingtonlaw.com\/blog\/finance\/job-benefits-financial-stress.html\" target=\"_blank\" aria-label=\"undefined (opens in a new tab)\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">benefits<\/a> are usually of the utmost importance, remember to consider other factors like health insurance options, flexible hours, vacation policies and overall company culture. The issues you experience in your current position can help you determine what you\u2019re looking for in your next role.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-5-consider-quitting-your-job\">5. Consider quitting your job&nbsp;<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1500\" height=\"700\" src=\"https:\/\/www.lexingtonlaw.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/good-financial-standing.png\" alt=\"Make sure you\u2019re in a good financial standing and have at least 3 to 6 months of pay saved.\" class=\"wp-image-15358\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.lexingtonlaw.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/good-financial-standing.png 1500w, https:\/\/www.lexingtonlaw.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/good-financial-standing-1100x513.png 1100w, https:\/\/www.lexingtonlaw.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/good-financial-standing-768x358.png 768w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 767px) 600px, calc(100vw - 35px)\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>At the end of the day, no job is worth putting your mental health at risk. If your current employer isn\u2019t paying you what you deserve and you don\u2019t feel fulfilled in your role, consider moving on. Now that you\u2019ve done extensive research on your industry&#8217;s salary range, you\u2019ll know what range to keep in mind when applying for other positions.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Before jumping the gun and resigning from a position, make sure you\u2019re <a href=\"https:\/\/www.lexingtonlaw.com\/blog\/finance\/how-to-prepare-yourself-for-the-next-recession.html\" target=\"_blank\" aria-label=\"undefined (opens in a new tab)\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">financially prepared<\/a>. In these situations, it\u2019s smart to have at least three to six months\u2019 worth of pay saved to give you some cushion during your job search. It may become more difficult to get approved for a <a href=\"https:\/\/www.lexingtonlaw.com\/blog\/credit-cards\/can-i-get-a-credit-card-without-a-job.html\" target=\"_blank\" aria-label=\"undefined (opens in a new tab)\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">credit card without a job<\/a>, so having saved up income can help ensure you\u2019re able to pay your credit balance.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-6-know-your-worth\">6. Know your worth&nbsp;<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1500\" height=\"700\" src=\"https:\/\/www.lexingtonlaw.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/glassdoor-know-your-worth.png\" alt=\"Use Glassdoor\u2019s Know Your Worth tool to compare salary levels according to location, experience level and job title.\" class=\"wp-image-15359\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.lexingtonlaw.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/glassdoor-know-your-worth.png 1500w, https:\/\/www.lexingtonlaw.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/glassdoor-know-your-worth-1100x513.png 1100w, https:\/\/www.lexingtonlaw.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/glassdoor-know-your-worth-768x358.png 768w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 767px) 600px, calc(100vw - 35px)\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>Understanding your own worth means being clear on the value you can bring to a company. When you know your worth, asking for a raise and vocalizing your concerns will start to come naturally to you.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Assess your own skills and level of expertise and be realistic with yourself. Once you&#8217;ve analyzed your own skills and industry\u2019s expectations, you\u2019ll have a better understanding of an appropriate wage. Glassdoor has a <a href=\"https:\/\/www.glassdoor.com\/Salaries\/know-your-worth.htm\" target=\"_blank\" aria-label=\"undefined (opens in a new tab)\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Know Your Worth tool<\/a> that can help you determine salary ranges by title, experience level and location.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The most important thing to remember is to not sell yourself short. Research from <a href=\"https:\/\/www.glassdoor.com\/blog\/3-5-u-s-employees-negotiate-salary\/\" target=\"_blank\" aria-label=\"undefined (opens in a new tab)\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Glassdoor<\/a> found that 59 percent of employees did not negotiate salary and accepted the first offer they were given. Know your worth and don\u2019t settle for less than what you deserve.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Money isn\u2019t everything when it comes to employment, but it can certainly start to impact your career and personal growth if it remains stagnant. If your paycheck isn\u2019t reflecting your worth, take action and make sure you\u2019re getting the compensation that will set you up for further financial success.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>For tips on how to handle being overworked and underpaid, check out our infographic below.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1500\" height=\"8363\" src=\"https:\/\/www.lexingtonlaw.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/Lex_OverworkedUnderpaid_IG.png\" alt=\"Infographic that illustrates the psychology of being overworked and underpaid \" class=\"wp-image-15361\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.lexingtonlaw.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/Lex_OverworkedUnderpaid_IG.png 1500w, https:\/\/www.lexingtonlaw.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/Lex_OverworkedUnderpaid_IG-1100x6133.png 1100w, https:\/\/www.lexingtonlaw.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/Lex_OverworkedUnderpaid_IG-768x4282.png 768w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 767px) 600px, calc(100vw - 35px)\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/lexingtonlaw.com\/disclaimer\" target=\"_blank\" aria-label=\"undefined (opens in a new tab)\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"><strong><em>Note:<\/em><\/strong><\/a><em> Articles have only been reviewed by the indicated attorney, not written by them. The information provided on this website does not, and is not intended to, act as legal, financial or credit advice; instead, it is for general informational purposes only. Use of, and access to, this website or any of the links or resources contained within the site do not create an attorney-client or fiduciary relationship between the reader, user, or browser and website owner, authors, reviewers, contributors, contributing firms, or their respective agents or employers.<\/em><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Are you being overworked and underpaid? Read about these six ways you can ensure you\u2019re getting the pay you deserve.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":63,"featured_media":15360,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[534],"tags":[],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO Premium plugin v18.1 (Yoast SEO v18.3) - https:\/\/yoast.com\/wordpress\/plugins\/seo\/ -->\n<title>Psychology of Being Overworked and Underpaid | Lexington Law<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Are you being overworked and underpaid? Read about these six ways you can ensure you\u2019re getting the pay you deserve.\" \/>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/www.lexingtonlaw.com\/blog\/finance\/psychology-overworked-and-underpaid.html\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"The psychology of being overworked and underpaid\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"Are you being overworked and underpaid? 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