7 Common Workplace Problems and How to Resolve Them in 2024

Malavika Mallya -

People spend most of their lives in the workplace, and it is no big deal that they encounter many common workplace problems, which are a great source of stress and uneasiness. CNBC reported that 60% of the employees are emotionally disengaged, propelling the managerial and HR board and the employee in question to develop solutions. 

When you work 40-45 hours a week, you are more likely to come across situations– good or bad - in the office space, requiring you to be attentive and professional so that it doesn’t affect your personal life. But there is no denying that it will bring the best personality out of you while dealing with some common workplace problems!

We identify many workplace problems, but the real challenge is handling them smartly without being a jerk or unlikeable character in the office. Before moving further with problems and solutions, always remember that communication is key.

Most common problems at work and their solutions

Here is the list of some of the most common workplace issues and the best way to fix them:

1. The job is completely different from what you expected

You were hired in the company in your chosen department, but with time and change of requirements, your task has been modified or changed, and you end up doing the work you were never interested in or at least never expected it.

How to fix: You can have an open talk with your manager in a calm and collaborative tone. Explain how your task is not matching the profile you’ve been looking for in problem-solving mode.

Give a clear picture of what exactly you want and request them to adjust your work accordingly. The answer can be in your favor, but your views can help the manager think about utilizing your skills more effectively without keeping your interest off from work.

2. Overwhelmed with the workload

Sometimes due to your proactive approach (which is a good thing) or to fill the shoes of the absent employee, you need to take other work. The workload could be unmanageable since you will have an extra burden apart from the whole list of tasks you need to complete.

How to fix: Choose the time when your manager is free and explain that your workload can’t be bearable with specific details on why.

You can request to add one resource for less urgent work, and you can play an assistant role in it. If your manager wouldn’t help you prioritize, you can come up with your proposal of setting priority, which they could approve.

3. Difficult to work with a co-worker

Often, you meet a few people with whom working is difficult at your workplace. Every conversation with that person devolves into disagreement and tussle, which can harm the shared project.

How to fix:

  • First of all, you need to put your ego away as likability is not the key to work.
  • You need to be able to work together.
  • You don’t always have to be nice but remain unflappable in the face of crazy-making personalities.

But you can always genuinely admire wherever they did a fabulous job, or you can seek their advice for any specific problem. This regular concerned effort can sometimes make a difference.

4. Your style of working

Everyone has a different style of working; especially sometimes, it can be about your productive timeline.

How to fix:

  • Identify your strength and how you can incorporate it to increase your productivity.
  • If those traits don’t match the set working style, tell your manager about it and request to allow you some flexibility in working hours.
  • Assure your manager that the requested change won’t downgrade the quality or delay in project time.

5. Made a major mistake

Suppose you are working on a crucial task and due to an unintentional mistake, some issues occurred which could delay the project deadline.

How to fix:

  • First, don’t panic or be defendable!
  • Admit your fault and take full responsibility, irrespective of the fact that it was unintentional.
  • Explain the details of what exactly happened and how you are planning to mitigate the damage.
  • Mention the lesson you’ve learned from this. It won’t correct your mistake, but at least you won’t lose the trust of your manager by a fair margin.

6. Your co-worker takes credit for your work.

It’s less likely but prone to happen that you did all the hard work, but the person included at the end or presenting it took full credit.

How to fix:

  • Be proactive.
  • Speak up before someone claim all your work.
  • Keep your manager in the loop.

If your co-worker takes all the credit, then be fearless to tell the roles and responsibilities and communicate any question they need to ask regarding your part of the job.

While doing so, do not worry about not being called a team player; managers always would like to know what roles their employees have taken in a piece of work.

7. Boss doesn’t notice your work

You’ve been peeling off your best effort to keep the project and deliver it on time, but none of your performance has registered on your manager’s radar.

How to fix:

  • Become your advocate.
  • From time to time, highlight your key victory by keeping your boss in the loop.

Also, remember, your boss can’t give you a high five for every small job you do, so don’t be needy of appreciation!

What else do you notice at your workplace that can be categorized as a common workplace problem? Tell us in the comment section.

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