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A growing number of American workers say their careers are moving forward in name only, with 65% of employees report experiencing “ghost growth” - taking on more duties without new titles, pay, or authority - according to a new survey.
The August MyPerfectResume survey of 1,000 employed adults found that 78% had been given extra responsibilities without a raise or promotion, while just 15% saw pay that reflected their expanded workload. More than half (53%)said promised promotions never happened.
Workers are increasingly viewing such empty gestures as performative, leading to disengagement and plummeting morale. Some 66% believe their employers engage in “growth theater,” creating the illusion of development while failing to deliver real progress, and nearly half (49%) said their careers have plateaued beneath the surface.
The report suggests that the disconnect between rhetoric and reality is corroding morale. A signifcant 35% said they have never been compensated fairly for their added responsibilities, while 23% admitted to feeling frustrated and 20% said they are experiencing burnout.
Career stagnation has prompted many of them to act, with 16% actively job hunting, 15% saying they have disengaged, and 13% said they feel trapped.
Burnout and attrition on the rise
The cost to employers may be significant. Some 68% of respondents said they’ve considered quitting due to the lack of recognition for their efforts, and 27% have already left their roles for that reason, while another 41% said they have seriously contemplated resigning.
One commentator noted that stalled career advancement can create “a destructive cycle of self-doubt, overwork, and exhaustion,” leading employees to internalize systemic issues as personal shortcomings.
Even those who stay continue to chase opportunity that rarely comes, with 39% saying they took on extra duties hoping for advancement, while 31% called the experience disappointing.
Workers crave authentic progress
The poll also reveals how social pressures drive employees to maintain the appearance of advancement, with 52% saying they feel compelled to look like they’re moving forward, citing pressure from employers (19%), peers or social media (16%), or both (17%).
Asked what real growth looks like, workers pointed to tangible outcomes such as higher pay (27%), better work-life balance (18%), leadership roles or promotion pathways (16%), and skill-building opportunities (15%). Only 8% said autonomy alone defined success.
The findings suggest employees are no longer fooled by token gestures or empty rhetoric from leadership. Without genuine investment in pay and progression, companies risk losing their best talent to rivals willing to deliver the real thing.
