askST Jobs: Should I turn down a promotion to protect my work-life balance?
Turning down a promotion does not mean lacking ambition, but employees should weigh the trade-offs.
In the article "askST Jobs: Should I turn down a promotion to protect my work-life balance?", business correspondent Timothy Goh discusses the decision of accepting or declining a promotion. Don Leow, human resources director at the National Institute of Education, advises that a promotion is not always a sign of ambition and that individual circumstances may require saying "not now".
He highlights that a bigger role does not always mean longer hours and can involve more accountability, complex decisions, and getting work done through others. Leow suggests employees should understand the specifics of the new role, including their responsibilities, support, flexibility, and workload. Turning down a promotion may impact future earnings and opportunities, but if it affects a person's health, relationships, or performance, the higher salary may not be worth it.
Leow recommends discussing workload, resources, travel, flexibility, and timing with the employer. Carol Poh, HR director at The Edge Partnership, notes that a promotion does not always mean a heavier workload or longer hours but could involve greater responsibility, strategic influence, and decision-making without a significant time commitment.
Employers are increasingly valuing work-life integration and providing flexibility through options like flexible hours, hybrid work, and autonomy in managing work commitments, allowing employees to balance career aspirations with personal and family priorities.
Written by urgent.news from Straits Times Business's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
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