Software Engineering

How to Address and Overcome a Quiet Promotion at Work

Have you ever felt like you're taking on more and more responsibilities at work, but there's no change in your job title or salary? Welcome to the world of "Quiet Promotion." It's a sneaky form of exploitation that can leave employees feeling overworked and undervalued.
Published on
March 2024

Have you ever felt like you're taking on more and more responsibilities at work, but there's no change in your job title or salary?

Welcome to the world of "Quiet Promotion." It's a sneaky form of exploitation that can leave employees feeling overworked and undervalued.

In this blog post, we'll dive into what Quiet Promotion is, how to identify it, and most importantly, what you can do to protect yourself and your team from its damaging effects.

What is "Quiet Promotion"?

Quiet Promotion occurs when an employee is given additional responsibilities without a corresponding promotion or salary increase.

It's a sneaky way for companies to increase productivity without having to spend money on new hires or promotions.

According to a survey by JobSage, 78% of employees feel like they've experienced a quiet promotion.

While it may seem like a win-win for both the employee and the company, it's actually a silent saboteur that can undermine employee morale, job satisfaction, and team cohesion.

Signs of "Quiet Promotion"

  • Taking on responsibilities beyond your job description
  • Doing the work of a higher-level position
  • Receiving less recognition or credit for your work
  • Feeling overworked and stressed

If you're experiencing any of these symptoms, it may be a sign that you're a victim of "Quiet Promotion."

Risks associated with "Quiet Promotion"

  • Decreased employee morale and engagement
  • Burnout and decreased job satisfaction
  • Weaker company as fewer individuals are handling more work
  • Potential for resentment among team members

"Quiet Promotion" can have far-reaching and damaging effects on both the individual and the company. It's important to address it before it becomes a problem.

Mitigating the Risks

Communicate Your Concerns to Your Manager

If you're feeling overwhelmed and undervalued, it's important to have an open and honest conversation with your manager. Explain how your increased responsibilities are affecting your work and well-being, and ask for a promotion or salary increase.

Negotiate for a Promotion or Salary Increase

If taking on the responsibilities of a higher-level position, it's only fair that you receive a corresponding promotion or salary increase.

Ask for a raise!

Don't be afraid to negotiate for what you deserve.

Set Boundaries and Prioritize Self-Care

It's important to set boundaries and prioritize self-care, even when you're feeling overworked. Take breaks, exercise, and make time for yourself.

Your well-being should always be a top priority.

Seek support from coworkers or HR

Feeling unsupported? Reach out to your coworkers or HR for help. They may have suggestions or resources that can help you navigate this difficult situation.

Advocate for Yourself

Quiet Promotion may seem like a harmless way for companies to increase productivity, but in reality, it can have damaging effects on employees and the company as a whole.

If you're experiencing any of the signs of Quiet Promotion, it's important to speak up and advocate for fair treatment in the workplace.

Your well-being and happiness are just as important as your job performance.

Weekly newsletter
Join hundreds of HR and team leads—receive our very best resources in your inbox every week.
Thank you! Your submission has been received!
Oops! Something went wrong while submitting the form.

Whenever you’re ready, here are 4 ways WorkStory can help you:

  1. The WorkStory Platform: Our all-in-one performance management solution. WorkStory makes it easy to gather continuous feedback, run 360 reviews, and track team progress—all in one place. Perfect for teams looking to move beyond traditional performance reviews.
  2. The Performance Review Builder Tool: Create customized performance reviews that fit your organization’s unique needs. Tailor the reviews to each role, streamline the review process, and focus on growth-oriented feedback.
  3. Performance Review Templates: Access a library of pre-built, best-in-class performance review templates that are ready to use. Whether you need templates for leadership, team members, or cross-functional roles, we’ve got you covered.
  4. HR Document Templates: From onboarding checklists to change management guides, our HR templates are designed to save time and ensure consistency across your organization. Simply download, customize, and implement.
Latest Posts
Newsletter

How to Hold Managers Accountable for Performance Reviews

The truth is, performance reviews don’t fail because of employees—they fail because managers aren’t being held accountable for their role in the process. Here’s why manager accountability matters and how you can make it a priority in your organization.
Read post
Newsletter

Three Common Performance Review Pitfalls—and How to Avoid Them

As we head into the end-of-year review season, it’s a good time to evaluate how you’re conducting performance reviews. A well-executed review process can inspire and set a clear path for growth. But a few common pitfalls can turn reviews into an ineffective or even dreaded experience for employees.
Read post
Newsletter

5 Signs Your Team Is Quiet Quitting (And How to Fix It)

As a leader, one of the most challenging things to spot is when your team members have mentally checked out but are still physically present. This phenomenon is called quiet quitting—where employees do the bare minimum without showing the engagement they once had.
Read post