Let’s Retire the Phrase “Gainfully Employed”

In 2021, I joined The Great Resignation and quit my job. I’d been with the same fintech for 15 years and decided I’d had enough.

Not only did I leave my job, but I also embarked on a new career, pivoting into content marketing and journalism. The huge shift has had some challenges. I spent eight months at a marketing agency before moving to a different agency. I (willfully) took an enormous pay cut when I left fintech, so I’ve maintained some freelance clients on the side. And I’m trying to build up my own portfolio of work — all while there’s a global pandemic going on.

But overall, I’ve been immensely satisfied with the change. I work with some amazingly talented people. I find the work both professionally and personally fulfilling. And I’ve climbed out of the rut that I was stuck in for years.

Employers aren’t benefactors

I was talking about everything I’ve gained with someone recently. His response was, “Sure, but your prior employer kept you gainfully employed for a long time.”

At first, I didn’t know how to respond. Yes, I had a steady paycheck for many years. Yes, I received promotions and climbed through the ranks.

But I also witnessed some pretty toxic behaviors. I saw senior employees belittle their teammates. I saw mediocre employees routinely praised, even when their work (or lack thereof) had a detrimental effect on the organization. And I watched inept people in leadership roles make decision after decision that negatively impacted the lives of the employees working so hard and threatened the company’s future.

It took a pandemic for me to realize the toll that it was taking on me. I was burned out and unhappy.

It’s a mistake (and an outdated mindset) to think that a paycheck gives employers permission to run a company however they see fit. We’re not talking about widgets that turn on/off at the start and end of each workday. We’re talking about people whose health, relationships, and self-worth are impacted by their experiences at a job.

What I gained from past work experience

Looking back on my career, the paycheck and steady employment weren’t my rewards for showing up day after day. I could have gotten those things elsewhere — my prior employers were not the sole option.

But like many elder Millennials groomed by Gen X, I thought climbing the career ladder was the only path to success. I followed in the footsteps of generations of employees (and women in particular), thinking that “gainful employment” was a fair exchange for my loyalty and compliance.

I was wrong.

And I don’t owe gratitude in exchange for the “gainful employment” that I had for so many years. It was a two-way transaction: I contributed my time and expertise and received a paycheck in return.

But from those experiences, I’ve learned what I won’t tolerate anymore. I’ve put up better boundaries for myself and encouraged others to do the same.

And — by contrast — I can appreciate the kindness and support of the colleagues I have the pleasure of working with now. I’m more than the paycheck I receive; I feel that the work I contribute makes a difference.

So let’s stop thinking that “gainful employment” is enough. It’s not.

Key Message: A paycheck is the bare minimum an employer can provide. A meaningful exchange for the employee’s time and talent includes emphasis on employee wellbeing, a supportive work environment, and opportunities for personal and professional growth.

You can read about the future of work and career pivots on my Substack.