The Pay vs. Peace Dilemma: Should You Stay in a Toxic Job for a Bigger Salary and Career Growth?
Written by
Laura Bogart
Edited by
Kristen Mae
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It goes without saying that all jobs are not created equal. And some jobs are far worse than others in terms of stability, room for growth, and camaraderie between colleagues and leadership. These jobs might as well have “toxic swamp” set as their location on LinkedIn.
Odds are, you’ve been in a toxic job before — subject to the whims of volatile or incompetent management, gossipy colleagues, or an overwhelming workload with no real path for growing your career. Certainly, the team behind the “Brown Ambition” podcast understands the emotional toll a toxic job can take. So much so that, when the question arose about whether to accept a $25,000 pay raise at a toxic job, the hosts suggested that the extra income might come at too great a cost: your peace of mind.
In the great debate between prioritizing your paycheck or your peace of mind, there are a few key factors to consider.
Staying in the Job Could Halt Your Growth
A bad boss can do more than make your day miserable — they can grind down your self-esteem and confidence in your work over time.
According to Jelena Radonjic, a career and leadership development coach and executive coach at WhatWork, “on an individual level, toxic bosses can create an environment of fear and mistrust. Employees may feel like they can’t speak up or express their opinions, which can lead to a lack of creativity and risk-taking.”
If you get too used to working under a manager who instills fear, you might become hesitant to share your ideas in meetings or to step outside the narrow boundaries you know won’t prompt your boss to criticize or mock you. While thinking inside the box and holding back your opinions might get you through the day, these habits can become ingrained, setting you up for failure in new environments.
Becoming a shrinking violet in a toxic job can keep you from blooming on other teams or at new companies. Turning down that raise — and the commitment to your current role that comes with it — might actually help you boost your earning potential in the long run.
It Could Be a Pit Stop to Success
However, sometimes the phrase “it’s always darkest before the dawn” can also ring true in your career. That miserable job with the difficult colleagues and overbearing boss might come with a title and set of responsibilities that strategically position you for a better role with better colleagues and a better boss down the line. And that pay bump will put you in a good spot for negotiating your next salary.
All you have to do is grit your teeth and push through a few uncomfortable years before you land in a happier place. To get through those dark days, focus on building resilience — whether working with a mental health professional or channeling your frustration into constructive activities like exercise or hobbies. You might also consider volunteering within your field to make connections that can help you expedite your exit from the toxic swamp.
You Have an Exit Plan
You can network and strategize and meditate to your heart’s content, but sometimes, the only justifiable reason to accept a pay raise and stay in a bad situation is because you already have an exit plan.
Perhaps you know that your awful boss is retiring soon. Or maybe you’re planning to start your own business in two years, and this salary bump will help you pad your emergency savings or fund your marketing budget. You might also be actively tracking job openings at a company where you’ve established strong connections.
Ultimately, your well-being matters most. You can always earn more money, but recovering from burnout or job-related mental health issues can take far longer and set you back in your career. If you decide to accept the pay bump and stick around for a while, just make sure you’re also planning your exit.
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