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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 it.
The employee once aspired to earn more to have an easier lifestyle, but is now feeling the effects of “golden handcuffs”: financial incentives to discourage workers from leaving a company.
In a popular Facebook group, the worker posted anonymously and expressed that he is more stressed than ever since moving up the ranks.
“I know this is going to cause a stir and sound ungrateful, but for those looking for higher paying positions… it’s not always what it seems,” the employee wrote.
‘Although the money is better, the stress can be much greater. Yes, there is less financial stress. However, I often feel that work stress is worse than managing a tight budget.’
A high-income worker who once dreamed of earning more now says he is more stressed than ever (file image)
“I dream of the day I can leave my job to take on a less stressful role that I love,” the post continued.
“I know this is a privileged point of view because at least I have the option of earning less and I honestly don’t know why I don’t take this path when I feel like I could ultimately be happier with this choice. Weird, like ‘What’s wrong with me?’
The worker did not reveal how much he makes per year, but many assumed he is above the $100,000 mark.
Opinions were divided in the comments and some took the post personally.
“It’s bold of you to assume that lower-earning roles mean less stress,” one wrote.
‘Low-paid jobs can also be stressful depending on what they are. Childcare is probably a good example,” another noted.
‘I have experienced the opposite. “Being in a lower role I found a lot more stress, trying to navigate unrealistic expectations from the manager, inflexibility around working hours and juggling full-time work and young children,” added a third.
Another asked: ‘Define ‘higher’ paying roles because that definition is different for everyone. In my line of work and based on my current salary, I consider a high-paying position to be earning $180K or more. Anything below that is just average.”
“I know this is going to ruffle feathers and sound ungrateful, but for those looking for higher paying positions… it’s not always what it seems,” the employee wrote on Facebook (file image).
Although others agreed with how the worker felt.
‘There’s nothing wrong with you. You are realizing that money is not everything. That it’s okay to be average and take the time to pursue things that make you happy. The rat race is not for everyone,” said one of them.
‘100 percent agree. I find that it is not the technical work I do as part of my job that causes stress. Stress comes from managing people and with a large team it can sometimes be 90% of the day. Finding balance is very difficult,” wrote another.
‘I know the feeling, I was in a very stressful job for years. I finally had the courage to resign. “Now I have a job I love and I can come home in a good mood,” added another.
‘People die from stress. Strokes, heart attacks, etc. “Everything has a price,” someone else said.