At What Point Is Complaining About Your Job Doing More Harm Than Good?

Pekic via Getty Images Everyone complains about their job at some point. One, you’ll feel terrible, and two, you’ll be miserable to be around.” Ranger said at best, complaining can help you get necessary affirmation and validation from others that your complaints are reasonable because “taking some time to be upset about your circumstance can be a good motivator for change.” Complaining about your job with your co-workers can also be helpful when it can change your team’s working conditions and hopefully stop the cause of your complaints. Interpersonal issues are a danger zone.” Stygar also cautioned that you must be careful about who you complain to at work because “not everyone you complain to is going to be on your side.” That’s why he recommends simply asking questions at first, like “Do you feel fairly compensated here?” and “Do you feel comfortable going to management with problems?” instead of outright complaining with statements like “I’m not happy with our pay.” “Asking questions will reveal whether someone is a safe space to discuss work issues with,” Stygar said. If we are still complaining but about different topics related to our jobs or bosses, then it’s time to look for something new.” Some self-exploration questions Ranieri said she often asks her clients who complain about their work include: “Is there a pattern here? “I also like to ask clients, ‘If you find yourself complaining a lot, what is the specific content of those complaints?’ It allows us to get curious about what level of control the client has and where to identify solutions or creative strategies to problem solve that may not just be getting a new job,” she added.