Is anyone happy within their job and not bothered about promotion/career advancement?

[TravellingSpoon]

Just that really. Chatting with my DS and BIL and he seems to think that if people dont want to advance in their career they are either lazy or they are not good at their jobs, but I have worked with brilliant carers/support workers who are not that bothered about advancing, although this might be because the stress that comes with moving up isnt justified by the extra few pence an hour.

I've had to train a long time to do what I do (10 years plus), but whilst many others try to climb further up the payscale after qualifying I am still on a newly qualified salary 3 years later. I love my team, love my role (which is in quite a specialist area so would have to sacrifice that for a payrise/ progression) and whilst I never say never I am truly happy where I am in my career and would rather stay there than get more responsibility and pay but not enjoy what I do... I'd like to think I'm not lazy, just maybe have different priorities in life than your BiL ;)

(and for what it's worth if I were to seek progression my salary would nearly double over the next 5 years).

There isn’t really ‘progression’ in my job for one thing, at least not in the traditional sense. And I’m very happy doing my thing. Progression in lots of jobs seems to be about moving further away from what you trained to do into a managerial role.

Progression in my career means no longer doing the specialist role I have trained for but instead managing a team of people...so no, I don't want to progress

Yes. The money increment is sometimes not worth the stress. Also after many years of being overlooked I've given up.

The further you go up the career ladder invariably it means an impact on family and home life. It depends on your priorities. I prefer to have a fuller private life and a more low key and less onerous work life.

Not everyone can get promoted there's often only one or two posts

Me. I enjoy my role. I'm (acknowledged) very good at it. Probably the best in the team. Certainly the highest performer by some significant margin. The line manager role is endless meetings. I'd be bored rigid. Happy where I am and management are happy for me to stay in the role.

I have had a core middle management role in my career and have decided, over the years, to downsize back to having no responsibilities. It’s the best thing I ever did and have far less stress / more time for life than before. Having had significant health challenges I’ve come to realise that money and status aren’t everything.

I spent ten years working 50-60 hour weeks carving myself a career in a high pressure yet well paid role, I was on track to be earning an extremely enviable salary with a number of promotions ahead of me.

Then I had a child.

My job wasn't compatible with family life, I was missing bedtimes, sports days, parents evenings. I was unable to care for my children when they were ill. So I gave it all up.

I now work 16 hours a week for an employer who prioritises family over everything. My work pattern is completely flexible, I compress my hours in school holidays, I've not missed a single school event and I take my children to school every day. I never have to worry about calling in at short notice if my children are ill. In exchange for this I have no career progression and I wouldn't change it for the anything.

huntedvagina I envy you.
travellingspoon it takes all sorts to make a world but IMO happiness does not equate to monetary riches and so I strongly disagree with your DS & BIL.

Yup, totally happy. I can do my job in my 35 hours with my hands tied behind my back. It's taken me a few years to get to this but the work life balance it gives me is fab.

I work in a big corporate and there’s definitely a level when I’ll be ‘done’ and not want any more promotions. Im after one more promotion (bigger role, bigger salary) but after than I won’t be looking for any more progression- the job becomes too ‘bullshit corporate politics’ for me after that, and one more promotion will give me enough money to do what I need to do for my family.

Yes, me.
I peek over the ledge at the 'next level up' and it looks kind of horrid. I can't get tempted to go there.
I know several people IRL in the industry like me. Happy at our level.

Other MNers in my broad industry all seem to be extremely miserable, though. I think they might all be at least one level up(!)

It depends in your age surely?
I’m 42 and plan to leave my sector at 55. There’s only one level above me as I’m already senior leadership and the jobs come up rarely at Director level. I am not seeking that level at the moment as I have a new baby and want to focus on family until she is at school, but hopefully will move up eventually to maximise my average salary pension.

Then at 55 I intend to do something less stressful until retirement.

Couldn’t give a flying fuck if someone thinks I’m lazy!

Me!

My health suffered in a professional role. I'm now working very part time (15 hours per week) very locally to home, in a non professional role within my original field. It's fabulous.

Yes! Primary school classroom teacher. A promotion would mean leaving the classroom, and I definitely don't want to do that!

I got promoted. 2 months later I went back down again as I hated it- all people management and reports and meetings and none of the client contact I loved at the lower grade. Several months later I had to act up again for 6 weeks to cover unexpected sickness and I still hated it! Very happy where I am, having tasted the alternative! Not worth the extra money as I love the current job, and not many people are lucky enough to love their job.

I gave up a career to be a trailing spouse and 10 years later we’re separated and I’m trapped in his home country till the kids are adults. But I’ve got myself a nice job that is no stress, can walk away at the end of the day and not think about it till I go back the next morning. And the pay is fine for what it is. If I’m off sick it’s ok, same with annual leave.

There’s no chance of promotion but actually I’m completely fine with that. There’s so much more to life than work

Me. Had a senior management team role in my 30s. Moved to be with DH and took on another senior role with a lot of travel. Had children. Now work part time 3 days a week. No line management responsibilities, no financial responsibilities, work flexibly so I can take smallest DC to school every day. Best thing I ever did.

I am only 27 and actually extremely happy with my role now. Next step up is simply seniority, but it comes with a lot of expectation.

My manager works horrendous hours at times, and has mentioned on a Thursday that she had not seen her small children since Monday as she goes to work before they wake up, and returns after they are in bed.

Hearing that just saddens me and I do not want that kind of work/life balance. I've also recently had my first child, so no way would I entertain it now.

Moving up would come with a significant payrise, probably about 60%, but considering I am on a good wage now I am seriously not bothered about it. We have enough money now, so I am not chasing it in my career to the detriment of my family.

I'm a nurse, and am happy with the job (most of the time, sometimes I hate it!). If I was promoted, I would lose just about all patient contact and I would hate that. It would absolutely not be what I came into nursing to do.

Me, rather misguided went for promotion, got it and went in the next day and said I didn't want it. Several years on I have no regrets.

Me. Taken me ages to get to a level one below management in a role that is satisfying but very flexible. Lots of work life balance, run my own diary etc.

My boss joined my team about 3 years after me. We were colleagues then about 4 years ago the manager role came up. I didn't go for it. I'm well respected and trusted at the operating role I have. She got it. Was a bit weird at first to be reporting to her but then I saw what she has to do. NO THANKS. Dear lord it's horrendous. You couldn't pay me enough!!!!

I'm on the other side of this.

Chased progression and had a good 4/5 promotions over 5 years. I am now taking time out and actively seeking a role that is 3 levels lower than I am now.

I miss the kids bedtimes and I'm stressed and thinking about work a lot. Yes I get a great salary but I've decided it just isn't worth it anymore. I'm going to half my salary going backwards but I'm really looking forward to prioritising my home life!