The hidden workplace trap: Why the hardest-working employees often end up being the most disadvantaged

Human resources expert Rafael Alonso has a warning for employees who never complain, always deliver results, and quietly take on more work than everyone else. In his view, they’re the ones who suffer most in the workplace.

“People who don’t complain and work the hardest are the most disadvantaged in the company,” Alonso said in a viral TikTok video.

According to him, this happens because managers tend to trust those employees more. “If you think someone might cause trouble or make things messy, you don’t give them more work,” he explained.

Why good workers get punished

Being efficient, taking initiative, and meeting goals are all qualities that bosses value. But Alonso says that in practice, these traits often backfire. The employees who consistently perform well, he argues, end up doing extra work for the same pay as colleagues who “barely lift a finger, earn the same, and have no responsibilities.”

From a psychological standpoint, managers see these high performers as dependable and capable, which leads them to pile on more work. “Leaders view them as people they can count on to get things done,” Alonso said. “If you think someone’s going to mess things up, you simply don’t assign them work.”

He admits the situation is “deeply unfair.”

How to avoid being exploited

Alonso believes the most dedicated employees often experience much higher stress levels than those who “just do their job and go home.” His advice for these workers is simple: protect your mental health.

“If you want to keep your sanity, you have to set limits,” he said. “That means asking to be paid according to your responsibilities and workload. And if management won’t go for it, then let someone else do the work they keep trusting you to handle.”

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