To think being “passionate about your job” is just code for being exploited?

[ThatMintyCritic]

The second an employer hears you’re “passionate,” suddenly you’re working longer hours, doing unpaid extras, and burning out. AIBU to think “passion” is just code for “we can underpay you?”

It really is Hell on Earth. The last circle of Dantes inferno.

I hope things have changed, but back in the day it was also an opportunity to belittle those who had "no excuse". In particular the single women (and less often men).

"Passionate" roll eyes

Some interesting points being made.

I have quite a niche role and although the advertised role didn’t mention anything about being passionate, it’s the first thing that springs to mind when anyone at work describes me. Passionate, gets things done and delivers is people’s description of me. My manager said that is exactly what they were looking for, but didn’t actually put it in the job advert - just looked for it at interview.

I absolutely love my job, can be busy at times, but it’s amazing. Passion definitely isn’t a euphemism for ‘we can under pay you’

Maybe it’s that I’m in the private sector? Or maybe not everyone who is passionate about their role isn’t over worked and under paid.

No. I was passionate about my job for a really good company. They saw that and invested heavily in my development. So yes, I did some unpaid overtime but they spent far more on training me. It paid off for the buisness and for me.
I now have my own business and I do exactly the same. I invest a lot of money in the staff who are passionate and it works for all of us. I don’t employ anyone who “just does enough to not get the sack”. Why would I?

It normally means 'You won't be needing a payrise because you're so passionate about the business/How can you expect a payrise - you told us that you were so passionate about helping/people/children/animals/ the shareholders ?'.

Whilst they, naturally, have a salary beyond comprehension with a minor payrise each year of close to six months of your salary. Because 'passion should be rewarded and Annabel's gone Above and Beyond for the people/children/animals/shareholders/herself, but of course, it's not about the money really, is it, Minion - IS IT?'

YABU

I like after work drinks-and-a-curry with my colleagues. Someone pulls that together every few months or so but we are an eclectic bunch, we don’t talk about work and there’s usually a collection of wives/husbands/older kids that tag themselves in. Team leader can’t really hold his beer so we take it on turns to retrieve him when he’s got himself lost again (the rule is that he has to have his WhatsApp location activated). If any of the ‘passion’ wankers tried to include this in some kind of work place perk or team bonding tosspottery they’d kill it dead.

"Being passionate" also translates as "How can anything outside of work possibly be more important ?" which will get levelled at women as they have to leave at 5 to pick up children.

I mean that’s why 90% of journalism is paid fuck all so I’d agree

I could be that passionate person - as long as the price is right.

I care about the money. Couldn’t give a toss how varied or not the week is, or travelling to unusual places I probably didn’t want to visit anyway, or learning skills you think will be useful for me but I have no interest in. What absolute hubris to frame it as being ‘rewarded’, as though you think you’re doing someone a favour and people should be tripping over themselves for the honour of working for you. The reward is the money, bugger the other nonsense.

I'd be a damn sight more passionate if I'm being paid properly to deal with constant changes, travel and having to learn a hundred different skills at any given moment. Telling me that it'll probably be useful when I look for a job somewhere else without paying me the actual value of the skills, intellectual demands and time involved isn't particularly motivating.

The job is the job. I would much prefer to work with somebody interested. Someone that asks questions about what they do. Such as "Why? Is this the best way we can do this process, or could it be improved? If we change this, will it make it better or worse for our clients? " I make it very clear in the job description what is required. If you are going to complain about having to visit cities that you probably wouldn't choose for a weekend break, you are not going to get as much out of the job as someone that likes visiting new places. Its public service, I can't do anything about the pay or conditions, so why wouldn't I want someone that is passionate instead of soneone that couldn't give a shit about the job itself. A passionate person will make the most of the experiences and skills they receive, including within our agency (not going elsewhere as you said) and will have a rewarding career.

YABU. I bloody love my job. It allows me to work with clever, quirky people who mostly also love their jobs and I am always learning. It can be fast paced and and I often wake up thinking about work, but I certainly don't feel exploited as I usually work a pretty civilised 8:30 to 5:30, with a couple of days WFH and I am very well compensated.

Passionate about work? Bumholes to that! I like my nhs admin job and I’m not looking elsewhere but loving it with a passion is a bit of a stretch.

On the other hand my dh has said he hates his job with a passion.

Most people are happy to do a job to the best of their ability and be paid for it. But wanting them to summon up ‘passion’ and huge enthusiasm for it is ridiculous. People will put on a good show and tell you what you want to hear, but internally roll their eyes. A job is a job. It’s a means to an end. We work to live, not live to work.

It just means ‘I’m not clockwatching’.

I bloody well am 😂 I’m happy to work my socks off until the last second but not a minute extra. My ‘passion’ stops the moment I’m not getting paid anymore.

Speak for yourself. I work for what could be described as an environmental agency. A huge number of people work for us because they want to work where that they believe they are doing some good and making the world a better place. Its not well-paid compared to the private sector, but the last vacancy in my team had applicants from four continents, because people that work in this field ARE passionate and its not all about the money. All the people I work with have grown up on David Attenborough documentaries and the like and have made career choices to reflect such interests. Passion still exists and is to be celebrated.

Some people are “passionate” about their jobs because they happen to do something they love.

Well, but surely you can see some people don’t get paid by the hour?

It surprises me not one iota that you’re all passionate about that kind of work. It attracts a type.

That’s very nice for you. Just don’t expect everyone else to feel similarly. If you think you’re making a positive difference to the world, great, that’s a bonus for you, but not everyone can have a job like that. Why should passion be ‘celebrated’ - you’re lucky enough to enjoy your job, most people don’t have that advantage, or just feel indifferent. It’s a weird thing to expect of everyone else.

Thinking about it, I am passionate about my job.

Once a month when I get paid. When I know they’ve done that, the passion goes for another 4 weeks.

I do enjoy my job, I'm a teacher in a nice school. I look forward to going back after the holidays. I have cheerful conversations with my pupils (teens), and it's rewarding when I help them understand my subject.

But to say I have a "passion" for it, would frankly be a bit gross... passion is what I feel for my husband.

Commenting from the other side as I am currently reading applications for an entry level position in our team, paid living wage. The “passion” is off the scale 😂 As is the use of “incredible” and other such hyperbole. Having to dig through all this guff to find what skills and experience they actually have is taking some time, plus energy from me to keep a positive mindset and not roll my eyes.
Nowhere in the JD did I put anything about the need for such a passionate approach to the job.

I'm passionate about the subject matter of my job. It's niche and fairly technical and probably incredibly dry to 98% of people, but it appeals to me. Passion wasn't required by the job ad, but being passionate has led to 3 promotions in 5 years, several cash bonuses, and generally having a high degree of job satisfaction and motivation.