When They Take Credit for Your Work: The Fine Line Between Hierarchy and Credit Hijacking

Work should feel good. Life should feel better. But what happens when someone takes credit for your work, and you’re left questioning both?

You’ve been there. You deliver the insights, build the deck, solve the problem, drive the project to the finish line—and then, in the big meeting, someone else steps into the spotlight and claims the win. Maybe they tweak a word or two, add their own flourish, but at its core, it’s your work.

The gut reaction? Frustration. Maybe even disbelief. You know what just happened. It wasn’t collaboration. It wasn’t a shared effort. It was credit hijacking.

But then, logic kicks in.

That’s just how it works here.

Leaders amplify work, they don’t always cite sources.

Maybe I should just be happy it was well received.

And so, you’re caught in the tension between the normality of workplace hierarchy and the undeniable frustration of being sidelined.

Is It Just How the System Works?

Corporate life has its realities: the higher you go, the more your work is about shaping, influencing, and directing rather than producing. Leaders often take what’s happening on the ground and translate it into the big-picture narrative.

That’s the structure. But does that mean your work is fair game?

No. There’s a difference between leadership and credit hijacking. True leadership elevates the people doing the work; it doesn’t erase them under the guise of hierarchy.

When Does It Cross the Line?

It becomes credit hijacking when:

✅ Your name is never mentioned—only theirs.

✅ They present your ideas as their own with no acknowledgment.

✅ You’re left out of key conversations that shape the narrative.

✅ You feel like you need permission to claim what you actually built.

And let’s be clear: when credit is hijacked, it’s not just about acknowledgment—it’s about career impact. Visibility fuels promotions, raises, and future opportunities. When someone consistently takes credit for your work, they’re actively limiting your growth.

So, What Can You Do?

1. Make Your Work More Visible Before They Can Take It

Share progress updates in writing, document your role in group chats, and be vocal about contributions. The more people associate you with the work before it reaches the top, the harder it is for someone to erase you.

2. Claim Your Space in the Conversation

If you’re in the meeting, speak up before the credit is taken. Frame it as a contribution:

“As I was working through this, I found that…”

“When I developed this, the challenge I had to solve was…”

That subtly reinforces you did the work without sounding confrontational.

3. Call It Out (Strategically)

If you’re feeling bold, you can correct the record. In a one-on-one:

“I noticed in the meeting the work was presented as yours. I want to make sure my contributions are recognized because visibility is important for my career growth.”

If they’re reasonable, they’ll adjust. If they’re defensive, at least they know you see what they’re doing.

4. Build a Reputation That Outpaces the Credit Hijackers

At the end of the day, people who routinely hijack credit aren’t actually good at their jobs. Their success hinges on staying close to the real talent. But when your body of work speaks for itself, when multiple people recognize your expertise, and when you have influence beyond your immediate boss, it’s harder to erase you.

Final Truth: You Have to Decide What’s Worth Fighting For

Some credit battles aren’t worth it—if you know it won’t move the needle, save your energy. But if your name is getting lost again and again, it’s not a coincidence. And in that case? It’s not just hierarchy. It’s credit hijacking. And the only way to stop it is to start reclaiming your seat at the table.

Because truth is… you did the work. Make sure they know it.