No raise no promotion burnout employee
Workplace burnout: A Reddit user recently opened up about the toll of constant workplace visibility without any tangible reward, sparking a conversation that resonated with thousands of readers. In a post shared on subreddit r/work, the employee described feeling trapped in a cycle of recognition and workload, where every achievement seems to translate into “more work” rather than raises, bonuses, or promotions.
Ok-Park2458 explained that, "And so far all it’s gotten me is nothing but WORK. MORE work. ‘Aw well done! Because what you did was so great, this and this team is requesting more work from you’ and it’s just been piling on and on and I’m sick and tired of it I am at my wits end. I haven’t gotten a promotion, bonus or raise from it I’ve gotten nothing but an empty thank you and more work."
The user recounted their recent experience during a quarterly team meeting. When asked to summarize their accomplishments, they could only provide a single word due to burnout and resentment. Their manager reportedly reacted negatively, but the employee realised afterwards that their frustration stemmed from chronic overwork and lack of recognition.
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"If visibility keeps turning into more work with zero raise/bonus/promo, you're training them that you’ll take on extra for free. The resentment is your brain catching up to the deal you’re in."
Workplaces often reward visibility with extra responsibilities rather than tangible benefits like pay raises or promotions.
How can burnout from visibility be used positively?
Some users encouraged turning frustration into fuel for entrepreneurship or planning a career change.
Employee Vents About Workplace Burnout: When Recognition Leads to More Work, Not Rewards
The user, 'Ok-Park2458' wrote, I HATE visibility! I’m tired of it. Every week, every month, every quarter and every year I have to turn into a clown and juggle in front of ‘leadership’ and tell them how much work I’ve done and the impacts," as shared in the Reddit post.Ok-Park2458 explained that, "And so far all it’s gotten me is nothing but WORK. MORE work. ‘Aw well done! Because what you did was so great, this and this team is requesting more work from you’ and it’s just been piling on and on and I’m sick and tired of it I am at my wits end. I haven’t gotten a promotion, bonus or raise from it I’ve gotten nothing but an empty thank you and more work."
The user recounted their recent experience during a quarterly team meeting. When asked to summarize their accomplishments, they could only provide a single word due to burnout and resentment. Their manager reportedly reacted negatively, but the employee realised afterwards that their frustration stemmed from chronic overwork and lack of recognition.
Also read: Is Crunchyroll down today? Thousands of anime fans frustrated as Crunchyroll server down due to major outage
Overwork Without Promotion: A Common Workplace Dilemma
Responses to the post poured in, with other users sharing similar experiences and advice. One commenter noted, “I know the feeling when you are rewarded for good work with more work… you should have leverage in those conversations before you know it.” Others cautioned that promotions are often tied to aligning one’s goals with leadership interests, while some bluntly warned that workplaces frequently reward visibility with extra responsibility rather than tangible benefits.Why Doing Extra Work Often Doesn’t Lead to Raises or Bonuses
One Reddit user warned that, "I always tried telling this to young new hires when I worked for big companies. By all means do your job well, and do what is assigned to you. But taking on more than you're supposed to gets you nothing except more work. When promotions come up management doesn't sit down and say who's the best at their current job, they promote their buddies and buddies of their buddies. The game is rigged, always has been."Also read: S&P 500, Dow, Nasdaq surged today as Apple, Meta, and Microsoft led gains, while Trump’s Canada tariff threat pushed gold to hit record high
Burnout and the Hidden Cost of Constant Workplace Visibility
The discussion also highlighted a broader lesson about burnout and workplace culture. As one user wrote,"If visibility keeps turning into more work with zero raise/bonus/promo, you're training them that you’ll take on extra for free. The resentment is your brain catching up to the deal you’re in."
Using Job Frustration as Motivation for Career Change or Entrepreneurship
Another user encouraged the Ok-Park2458 to use the frustration as fuel for future plans, even hinting at entrepreneurship as a potential path, saying, "This is what happens right before you start your own business. Feed that fuel and prepare for your future!"Planning an Exit: When It’s Time to Leave a Draining Job
Ok-Park2458 concluded by responding to one of the comments in the post, saying they are planning an exit from the company in the coming month, having already prepared backup options. “Don’t worry I’m already on it,” they wrote. “It was just a post to vent a frustration but I know what to do.”Why Speaking Up and Setting Boundaries Matters at Work
The Reddit post quickly became a cautionary tale for workers navigating the delicate balance of visibility, recognition, and compensation, reminding many that overextending without clear reward can lead to burnout and that speaking up and planning ahead are essential.FAQs
Why is overwork without reward a common issue?Workplaces often reward visibility with extra responsibilities rather than tangible benefits like pay raises or promotions.
How can burnout from visibility be used positively?
Some users encouraged turning frustration into fuel for entrepreneurship or planning a career change.
