9 Warning Signs of an Unhappy Employee

Every enterprise wishes they had happy employees all the time, but, let’s face it, this is never the case. Many of us experience ups and downs week-by-week, month-by-month, and sometimes year-to-year, and, while we may not realize it, we often show warning signs of an unhappy employee.

In every workplace, employee happiness plays a key role in morale, productivity, and overall company success. It keeps regrettable attrition down, decreases costs, and creates a better working atmosphere. Unsurprisingly, people that enjoy what they do and want to be at work have a positive impact that’s felt broadly across a company.

To ensure that your team members feel appreciated and content, it is crucial to be aware of the warning signs of an unhappy employee and how to address their concerns effectively. Here are the key warning signs to watch out for and how you can deal with an unhappy employee:

10 Warning Signs of an Unhappy Employee

1. Decreased Productivity

One of the most common warning signs of an unhappy employee is a noticeable decrease in productivity. When an employee who was once a high performer starts to lag behind, it may indicate feelings of dissatisfaction or disengagement. 

Keep an eye out for missed deadlines, decreased output, or a drop in the quality of work. These can be autoflagged in project management software, noted during sprint retros, or compared against OKRs.

2. Increased Absenteeism

If a team member starts calling in sick more frequently or taking more time off than usual, it could be a sign of their unhappiness at work. While a vacation is normal, using too much PTO or sick time indicates that the unhappy employee isn’t invested in the tasks at hand.

Absenteeism is often linked to low morale, stress, or a lack of motivation. It causes projects to lag behind and often focus other team members to pick up the slack. This impacts their work/life balance and can impact their happiness levels as well.

3. Negative Attitude

An unhappy employee may display a negative attitude towards their work, colleagues, or the company in general. They might voice complaints frequently, seem disinterested in team activities, or exhibit a pessimistic demeanor.

Some employees are naturally direct or assertive, so be careful to attribute those comments to unhappiness. Instead, look at the underlying message of their attitude.

4. Expressions of Burnout

If a team member appears consistently tired, overwhelmed, or expresses feelings of burnout, it may indicate that they are struggling with their workload or the working environment.

Burnout and fatigue take many forms, and all are detrimental. The employee may be picking up slack from other employees. Their manager may be overburdening them with work or expectations. They may be having trouble balancing changes in their personal lives.

It may also be a bi-product of their working environment. When asked to rank the top 3 biggest challenges with working remote or hybrid, 40% of employees said burnout in our Employee Happiness in the US report.

5. Lack of Initiative

When an employee stops taking initiative or participating in discussions and decision-making processes, it could be a clear indication of their disengagement and dissatisfaction with their role or the company. According to our 2024 Employee Happiness report, 26% of employees cite “a lack of motivation to do their very best” as a symptom of work related stress.

They may start to pass up on work they would normally take, or stop volunteering for projects they used to handle. This is frequently noticed during sprint planning meetings and during one-on-ones. Managers and project managers may see reluctance to take charge and notice decreased story point completion.

6. Reduced Interaction

An unhappy employee may withdraw from social interactions with their colleagues. They might avoid team events, conversations, or collaborative projects, preferring to work in isolation. 25% of employees found a desire to keep to themselves as a part of work related stress, according to our 2024 Employee Happiness in the US report.

Contributing to appreciation cultures is an important part of maintaining a healthy workplace. When employees stop recognizing employees and spreading gratitude, they’re actively disconnecting from sources of positivity in the org. Managers may see less shoutouts, decreased attendance at happy hours and corporate functions, and a more “camera off” mood during calls. 

7. Increase in Complaints

A noticeable uptick in complaints about their workload, working conditions, or other aspects of the job could signify an employee’s unhappiness and dissatisfaction. This is most common after large organizational changes like layoffs, and rightfully so.

Complaints may stem from genuine frustration with culture or decisions, or may be a byproduct of a lack of being heard. Oftentimes, employees are unhappy with internal communication and feel like their opinions don’t matter. 

8. Deteriorating Work Relationships

If an employee starts to have conflicts with their colleagues, exhibits a lack of cooperation, or experiences deteriorating relationships within the team, it may be a sign of their dissatisfaction impacting their interactions with others.

While they may feel personal, these issues can be the result of fatigue or genuine frustration. These conflicts may bubble up during meetings, or even in casual conversation.

9. Decline in Personal Grooming or Appearance

For some individuals, a decline in personal grooming or a change in appearance can be a sign of underlying unhappiness or dissatisfaction at work.

Everyone can let appearances slip from time to time, but it can be an indicator of larger issues with unhappiness. They may be experiencing a poor work/life balance and having issues keeping up. They may also be rebelling against office conventions as a result of a negative attitude. 

What are the Impacts of an Unhappy Employee?

The presence of unhappy employees can have far-reaching consequences for a company. Employee dissatisfaction can lead to decreased productivity, reduced employee retention, and a negative impact on overall staff morale. Additionally, it can affect the company culture, team collaboration, and even customer service.

It can also lead to regrettable attrition, or avoidable turnover, which leads to gaps in skill and derailed projects. This unhappiness is due to factors in the organization’s control, like culture or bandwidth. When managers notice undercurrents of unrest, they need to make changes to try to rectify the internal problems.

Understanding the warning signs and addressing employee unhappiness promptly is vital to maintain a positive work environment and ensure the success of the business.

How to Deal with an Unhappy Employee

Dealing with an unhappy employee requires empathy, effective communication, and proactive measures from human resources, people managers, and fellow employees. It’s a difficult issue to address, as it requires vulnerability and trust, but of paramount importance to the success of the org.

Here are some steps to address their concerns and improve their happiness at work:

Encourage Open Communication

Create a safe space for employees to express their concerns and provide feedback. Encouraging open communication can help unearth the root causes of dissatisfaction and allow for constructive dialogue.

Make a safe space during meetings or all-hands calls for frank, honest discussion. HR can also provide anonymous surveys to get a pulse on how employees feel.

Recognize and Appreciate

Use an appreciation platform like Kudoboard to celebrate employee achievements, milestones, and contributions. Recognizing their efforts can go a long way in boosting morale and instilling a sense of value.

These employee appreciations can take many forms, from celebrations of work anniversaries to simple shout-outs that recognize hard work. Platforms like Kudoboard provide a space for employees to leave authentic messages during a variety of workplace events and occasions.

Offer Support and Resources

Provide support to employees who may be struggling with their workload or facing personal challenges. Offering resources such as mentorship, training, or flexible work arrangements can demonstrate care for their well-being.

Many modern workplaces also offer funds for self-care, dedicated employee holidays, or access to free counseling. Even the smallest actions speak volumes to unhappy employees looking for support.

Address Concerns Proactively

Take proactive steps to address employee concerns, whether they relate to workload, workplace environment, or interpersonal relationships. Showing that their concerns are being heard and acted upon can help improve their satisfaction.

Foster a Positive Work Environment

Focus on creating a positive work environment that promotes teamwork, respect, and inclusivity. Organize team-building activities, social events, and initiatives that foster a sense of belonging and camaraderie.

Provide Growth Opportunities

Offer opportunities for professional development, career advancement, and skill enhancement. Helping employees grow in their roles can reignite their motivation and sense of purpose.

Unhappy employees may feel unrecognized and unappreciated for their work. Providing them clear paths to promotions, awards and recognition for hard work, or job training in other avenues is an important part of success. 

How Can an Appreciation Platform Improve Employee Happiness?

An appreciation platform such as Kudoboard can play a significant role in enhancing employee happiness and satisfaction in the workplace. By leveraging the features and benefits of an appreciation platform, organizations can create a more positive work environment and foster a culture of gratitude, employee recognition, and celebration. 

Here’s how Kudoboard and similar platforms can contribute to employee happiness:

• Instant Appreciation: With Kudoboard, employees can receive instant appreciation from their peers and managers, boosting their morale and sense of accomplishment.
• Team Building and Morale Boost: Kudoboard can be used to create collaborative boards that celebrate achievements, milestones, and special occasions, fostering team camaraderie and creating connections.
• Recognition at Scale: An appreciation platform allows for scalable recognition, making it easy for colleagues and leaders to acknowledge and appreciate the efforts of multiple team members across various departments.
• Creating a Positive Work Culture: By promoting a culture of gratitude and celebration, Kudoboard contributes to the creation of a positive and inclusive work environment where employees feel valued and supported.
• Personalized Appreciation: Using an appreciation platform, employees can receive personalized messages, photos, videos, memes, and GIFs, adding a touch of sincerity and thoughtfulness to the appreciation process.
• Remote Team Engagement: For remote or hybrid teams, Kudoboard facilitates employee engagement, connection, and recognition, ensuring that all team members feel included and appreciated regardless of their location.

Transforming Unhappiness to Success

Recognizing the warning signs of an unhappy employee and taking proactive steps to improve employee happiness is crucial for maintaining a positive work environment and promoting overall company success. By fostering open communication, providing support, and leveraging tools like Kudoboard, organizations can address employee dissatisfaction effectively and cultivate a culture of appreciation and engagement. Ultimately, investing in employee happiness not only benefits individuals but also contributes to a more productive, cohesive, and thriving workplace.

Remember, a happy workforce is a productive workforce, and with the right strategies and tools, such as Kudoboard, businesses can create a work environment where employees feel valued, motivated, and fulfilled.