Having just finished another article entitled “Planning Precedes Performance” where I discussed how to impress your boss, I thought it would be wise to discuss the fact that accepting a promotion on the job is often a bad idea.  Within the last three years I’ve personally been promoted and quit a job as District Manager, witnessed the guy promoted after I quit resign in disgust, and just witnessed a good friend at my current job contact corporate headquarters and actually demote himself.  Some promotions are a good move and others are for the birds, let’s discuss the pro’s and con’s of moving up the rungs of responsibility at your job.

How’s the money?

As you can tell by the title of this blog I need increases in my annual income more than some people.  Being in debt and a slave to finances is enough to get anyone off their butt and working hard.  However, unlike the man I was in my twenties, I now try and balance work with time off.  Psychological health is just as important as physical and financial health.  Flaws in any one of these areas can ruin your chances of success in the other two.

In 2006 I took a promotion with my current employer when they offered me the position for the third time.  Here’s why I waited so long.  I had just quit a job as District Manager where I worked sixty hours per week and was on call 7 days.  I didn’t realize just how miserable and stressed I was until I quit working for the company altogether.  The company that I currently work for had one little deal-breaking detail that was making that promotion look like a bad idea.  As a foreman with employees under my supervision my paycheck would see little increase.  Why should I step up from the level of technician to foreman without a substantial increase in pay?  Besides, the foreman that I had worked around were over-worked and stressed, often working seven days a week for a salary slightly higher than my own.  One quit last year out of frustration and the other one demoted himself.

The reason I finally accepted the promotion was because the company was changing it’s per hour rates and I was about to lose a couple of dollars per hour.  The difference in the upcoming rates of pay were significant enough for me to step up to the plate and take on more responsibility.

Many companies have supervisory positions that pay little more than experienced workers. If that’s the case then I wouldn’t accept the job.  Most employers will rightfully try and save on labor costs where they can, and many just don’t see the need in paying more for these positions.  I’m sure they have their reasons.  For example, many people are willing to accept receiving less money per hour (which is typically the outcome of salary instead of hourly pay) because they are being promoted to a position of authority.  I don’t understand this mentality.  Some people go down this road because it may open doors to a higher pay grade.  This is understandable thinking but you should really weigh the good versus the bad.  I always recommend looking out for number one, because at the end of it all that will be your position anyway - the same is true for the company.

**There’s one other reason why accepting a promotion can be a good idea even though the money isn’t much better.  And that is if the promotion means you’ll learn new skills that can actually translate into higher paychecks on down the road - if not with your present employer, perhaps a competitor.

Does this new position have a good track record?

Did people in the past enjoy this position?  Ask someone who used to perform this job about what they liked and disliked about the advancement.  For example, regarding my previous employer and the position of District Manager, this was a position that was opened from time to time.  If the owners of the company had someone they felt could fill the position they would open it again.  The new District Manager would remain in the job for a few months and then either get fired or quit.  When I asked my old District Manager his advice about my having replaced him he responded “Just quit, it will be the smartest thing you ever did!”  Turns out he was right, it really was honest advice.

If your company is ‘creating’ a new position for you then be forewarned.  This can be trouble because corporate may not even know what results they expect you to perform, and having no history to base expectations on, one could easily fail.  Chances are if the job has a track record of low turnover, generally happy history, and pays enough to reconcile the added responsibility, then certainly it should be considered.

Can you handle the added responsibility?

Just as a promotion comes with added financial incentives it also often comes with more hours worked and more responsibility.  I’ve seen people that were happy and cooperative employees.  But after receiving a promotion the added hours and stress took its course on their personalities.  The once gentle puppies had turned into angry pit bulls.  It was obvious that the new position wasn’t for them.

You should know your limits.  If you’re a free spirit that doesn’t handle stress well then admit it.  Find something else that you can succeed at.  Trust me - being in a position of authority isn’t all it’s cracked up to be.  Some people do it for the psychological authority factor and some for the money, but no one does it because they have nothing better to do.

What will be the effect on your family?

Nothing is more important than our spouses and children.  Making more money has its perks, but children need mothers and fathers a whole lot more than they need a new car in the garage.  Americans have a real problem with this - sponsoring the rat race and all like we do.  No promotion is worth ruining your marriage over.  If the new job means you’ll be traveling all around the country where there’s no possible way for you be there for your spouse and children then turn it down.

Earlier I spoke of psychological, physical, and financial health.  Success in these areas depends on a balance shared between each of them.  Had you rather be a Honda Accord, getting good gas mileage and low maintenance - or a Mustang GT, burning through gasoline, tires, and transmissions?  I’ll take the Honda Accord every day of the week. Promotions and financial wealth are important, but each has its limits for a balanced life.