That isn't the same thing. Your efforts can still be appreciated as it will have had had a positive impact on them. They're merely expressing it, which is somet

That isn't the same thing. Your efforts can still be appreciated as it will have had had a positive impact on them. They're merely expressing it, which is something people do. After all, if everyone assumed the attitude in your last sentence, it would make for a highly unpleasant environment overall and make work a lot more stressful.