As the cost of living crisis continues to grip Australia, millions can only hope for a pay rise. But one worker says a higher income isn’t worth the stress.
The employee once aspired to earn more for a simpler lifestyle, but is now feeling the effects of the “golden handcuffs”: financial incentives to discourage employees from leaving a company.
In a popular Facebook group, the employee posted anonymously and said he is more stressed than ever since moving up.
“I know this will ruffle feathers and sound ungrateful, but for those seeking higher paying positions… it’s not always what it’s cracked up to be,” the employee wrote.
‘Although the money is better, the stress can be so much higher. Yes, there is less financial stress. Yet I often have the feeling that the work stress is worse than managing a tight budget.’
A high-income worker who once dreamed of earning more now says he’s more stressed than ever before (stock image)
“I dream about the day I can quit my job to take on a less stressful role that I love,” the post continued.
‘I know this is a privileged position because at least I have the option to earn less and honestly I don’t know why I don’t go down this path when I feel like I could ultimately be happier with this choice . weird, like what’s wrong with me?’
The employee did not reveal how much he makes per year, but many assumed it was above $100,000.
Opinions were divided in the comments, with some taking the post personally.
“Bold of you to assume that lower income roles mean less stress,” one person wrote.
‘Low-paying jobs can also be stressful, depending on what they are. Childcare is probably a good example,” another noted.
‘I’ve experienced the opposite. Being in a lower stakes role meant I experienced a lot more stress trying to deal with unrealistic expectations from managers, inflexibility around working hours and juggling full-time work and young children,” a third added.
Another asked, “Define ‘higher’ paying roles because that definition is different for everyone. In my field and based on my current salary, I consider a high-paying role to be making $180,000 and above. Anything below that is just average.”
“I know this will ruffle feathers and sound ungrateful, but for those looking for higher paying positions… it’s not always what it’s cracked up to be,” the employee wrote on Facebook (stock image)
Although others resonated with how the employee felt.
‘There’s nothing wrong with you. You just realize that money isn’t everything. That it’s okay to be average and make time to pursue things that make you happy. The rat race is not for everyone,” said one.
‘100 percent agree. I find that it is not the stress caused by the technical work I do as part of my job. The stress comes from people management and with a large team this can sometimes take 90% of the day. Finding the balance is so hard,” wrote another.
‘I know the feeling, I had a very stressful job for years. Finally I had the courage to resign. I now have a job I love and I can come home in a good mood,” another added.
‘People die from stress. Strokes, heart attacks, etc. Everything has a price,” someone else said.