APPRENTICE star and West Ham United vice-chair Karren Brady answers your careers questions.
Here, Karren gives her expert advice to a reader who is feeling demoralised and asking themselves why they are working so hard for no extra reward.
Q: I’m in my late-30s and, despite working towards a promotion my manager promised me all year, I’ve been told there’s no budget for internal movement within the business.
On top of this, management have just announced our company-wide pay rise – and it’s disappointing, to say the least.
I’m feeling demoralised and asking myself why I’m working so hard for no extra reward.
I’ve heard about Gen Z “quiet quitting” and I’m wondering whether I should stop going over and above all the time.
What do you think?
Emily
A) It’s understandable that you’re feeling frustrated – when you’ve put in the work, it’s disheartening not to see that effort acknowledged.
Arrange a meeting with your manager and explain why you feel you deserve a pay rise, detailing the times you’ve stepped up, the results you’ve achieved and why it’s disappointing not to see your contributions reflected.
Keep your tone professional.
Say that while you enjoy working for the company, like anyone, you need to be fairly rewarded.
If your manager’s response is not what you hoped for, take time to reflect on what you want next.
Maybe that’s continuing to build your case for a promotion, setting clear boundaries around extra work, or perhaps exploring new opportunities.
It’s natural to feel tempted to scale back, but ”quiet quitting” can hurt career growth, visibility and future opportunities, plus disengaging can make work feel more monotonous and unfulfilling.
Communicating expectations and seeking change in your role are more effective ways to improve the situation.
- Got a careers question for Karren? Email bossingit@fabulousmag.co.uk.
