Q. Is it bad if I decline a promotion? My boss said it’s going to happen this year, but what if I don’t want it to? I don’t want the headaches for not that much more pay. Politically, do I have to play the game though?
A. Congrats, I think? Looks like you’re not alone. A new study showed that 34% of employees never want to become managers and 39% don’t want to be promoted. Also, I want to commend you for seeing what’s best for you and that climbing the corporate ladder isn’t the only way to achieve career satisfaction and success. We get to define our own version of success and what that looks like, and in your case, it sounds like fewer headaches all around.
There’s nothing wrong with the status quo. Our hustle culture tends to claim bragging rights for being busy, rather than stillness; fear of missing out rather than joy of missing out. So, I would stick true to what you know is best for you. I only caution that if you stay in your same job, don’t get in a rut — learn new skills, hone and polish them, and seek new experiences so your skills stay fresh, especially if you end up looking for a new role externally.
My suggestion is to tell your boss what you told me through your question: You don’t want the promotion. My only concern is that your boss may push back and say it’s not optional. Some organizations are more politically charged than others and I don’t know enough about your company’s culture. What if you feel like you can’t not get promoted and/or there’s backlash internally? (And what if you don’t have a choice, land the corner office you don’t even want, then word gets out you didn’t want it? You could be viewed as ungrateful.)
If it is politically charged, if there’s backlash, if you must advance to the job without significant pay to mark the additional responsibilities, I would think bigger picture here: finding a better job externally with a culture that supports your career goals.
Q. Cupid has struck my office — two colleagues are romantically involved. Should I say something to our boss?
A. If it were me, I’d stay out of it. If there’s interference with work (let’s say they’re both missing deadlines that you’re relying on them to meet in a team project), you can address the missed deadlines by focusing on the work, not their love life. I’d also steer clear of churning the office gossip mill.
If you replace the situation with a peer who’s burning the midnight oil with a side hustle outside work, would you tell your boss? The answer’s probably a resounding no. It’s not your business and doesn’t impact you. So, I would look at the budding romance situation similarly.
Vicki Salemi is a career expert, former corporate recruiter, author, consultant, speaker, and career coach. Send your questions to hello@vickisalemi.com. For more information visit www.vickisalemi.com and follow her on Twitter and Instagram @vickisalemi./Tribune News Service