When upper managers say you are underutilized and should be used in a greater capacity? (employee, applying)

[DorianRo]

Is that a sign of bad middle management not helping you grow as an employee or you as an employee not actively applying yourself for something better? Or is it implying both?

[Hemlock140]

Both. Every supervisor and manager is obligated to provide work that maximizes the contribution of their employees. At the same time, if an employee is capable of more responsible/difficult work and getting good performance reviews, he/she should bring that to the attention of their boss. A promotion or raise may not be possible, but it will help prepare the person for future opportunities, and falls under the usual job description line "and other duties as assigned."

[oldtrader]

If the title is correct, it was a rebuke to your manager, that they are not utilizing you the way your are capable of handling, and your manager should be using you more than they are. It was not a rebuke to you, unless you are just not doing a good job as you should.

[Disgustedman]

Originally Posted by DorianRo

Is that a sign of bad middle management not helping you grow as an employee or you as an employee not actively applying yourself for something better? Or is it implying both?

Or do they simply want you to do their work and let them play?

[North Beach Person]

Originally Posted by DorianRo

Is that a sign of bad middle management not helping you grow as an employee or you as an employee not actively applying yourself for something better? Or is it implying both?

It could be that or it could be, if you show the same disdain for your bosses and older co-workers with much more experience than you at work as you do here, code for, "we're paying too much for what he does".

[NoMoreSnowForMe]

I'd think, "Oh great, he's going to give me more work."

[Rkstar71]

My manager said that to me once.

The translation is this: "I want to send you to a more dangerous work site and not pay you any more than you get now."

It's a kind of sweet-talk to get you to go along with doing a job nobody else wants.

[macroy]

Originally Posted by DorianRo

Is that a sign of bad middle management not helping you grow as an employee or you as an employee not actively applying yourself for something better? Or is it implying both?

Either, both, or neither. It's just a general statement. It can mean any of what other's have indicated. It can be a perception of upper management that your direct supervisor is not using you to your potential (which has a direct impact on your employer, was well as your own professional development), a comment indicating that they simply have no work for you (e.g. an excuse), or just a ploy to soften the blow before they dump work on you.

And of course, what is said vs. what is true/accurate can also be different.