Question: Where I work I often agree to take extra shifts when someone else can't make their shift upon my manager's request. I've been doing this often and don't feel like I'm getting [recognition](https://workplace.stackexchange.com/questions/11816/why-is-it-important-to-gain-visibility-in-the-workplace). (I make the standard rate during these extra shifts.) Often times I am asked to cover a shift with less than 24 hours notice. The manager doesn't even say thank you.

Any way I can get more? I'm still on the probation period but after I will stop saying yes. In general I'm very bad with making my work stand out. For example a coworker is always talking about how successful his ideas are, even though they aren't really.

Answer: 
I think (lightheartedly) that posting on an internet question answer site to let others respond to your extra shifts is the perfect solution. This is free and easy and this answer and the comments prove that it works.

Now on to some hopefully better advice.

You stated that you are already receiving the recognition of additional pay from the company.

If you are after any public recognition, even if it is unrelated the workplace, you could spend the extra money that you make to donate to a charity. Likely the charity will thank you when you donate, depending on the amount and charity they may list your name in a list of donors or attach your name to a good or service provided. I know that many projects, and youtubers will list all the people who have donated to their project on their website or at the end of the video.

Alternatively you can use the extra money that you are receiving to purchase gifts for meaningful people in your life. Many people who are worthy to be considered a friend will say thank you for a well thought out and meaningful gift. Various people have said thank you in my life, and gifts I have received have meant a lot to me. Just remember that you purchased the gift with money from an extra shift.

If your coworkers know that you are covering their shift, over time they will likely think of you as a hard worker and reliable person. They may also recognize you by being happier to cover your shift later. Don't expect an hour for hour trade though or you will be disappointed.

Some of the recognition for hard work and extra hours takes a long time, Think years. If you are known to be a reliable employee who will always do extra for the company you are less likely to be brought up as someone on the list of possible people to let go of when bad times come. Good managers will notice this and try their best to keep you employed. This is not something to be overlooked as it can help save your job or ensure a good recommendation from the company when you are looking for your next job.

In my opinion reputation is more important than recognition. Take the steps to build a positive reputation to help yourself out in the long run.

Best of luck!
Difference in expectations
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This looks like classical example of difference in expectations in a (business) relation, between you and the company (represented by manager) .

What does company wants ? They need someone to fill in and do extra shift when someone else can't or won't. And that someone is often you. They do not expect from you to work for free, although they pay you only standard hourly rate, not some higher overtime rate. From their perspective you and them exchange work for money. Only this time they buy some more work from you at the same price. And that is all. Your reward is extra money.

What do you expect from them ? First of all, since you are on probation, you probably want to end that and become a regular employee. Employees on probation are usually more vulnerable to demands from management, therefore you do not dare to refuse requests for extra shifts, especially if manager in question has a say about your employment. In this case you are probably right not to confront him directly at least until your probation period passes. This is unfortunate and probably unfair, but it is what it is.

Second thing is recognition. Unless you are looking for plaque reading "Employee of the month", I'm afraid you are on a wrong path. **As a rule, companies do not promote people who do more grunt work** . If you are digging ditches, you won't become a manager just because you dig more ditches than rest of the workers. There are exceptions to this rule, and you didn't mention what industry you are working in, but in general terms this is usually true.

What can you do ? First of all, be honest to yourself and declare a goal. If you want to be a manager, okay. If you want pay rise, fine. If you want extra free time, that is OK too. And when you set up this goal, **try to emulate successful people around you**. What did Joe do to become a manager ? How did Jill get a pay rise ? Why does company keep Mike on pay roll even if he seemly does nothing ? All of this would help you to understand business world better and to learn to swim among sharks.