I myself have been in a situation where compensation has been a key factor in decreased effort and also ultimately led to my decision to leave a role. I think compensation is an important factor in any role you take. Often times the standard person does not work just to work, we work for self fulfillment yes but also we work to be able to provide for ourselves and our loved ones. I was in a situation where I took a role and was being fairly compensated for that role but within 5 months into the role, the company loss a headcount and they shifted that work load to me.
I am a team player and have never had an issue with stepping up to the plate and helping out the team where i can, but compensation became an issue when because I was given more workload, so i was essentially doing my desk and another desk work load, I was able to handle both workloads but I was not hired to do that second role so I felt it was only fair that i am compensated for doing two desk and doing them really well. I spoke with my manager at the time regarding this several times and asked to be fairly compensated and I was not.
Me not being fairly compensated made me feel as if I was not being valued and my work ethic was being unappreciated so, the trickle down affect kicked in where, because I was getting the lack of response and the lack of an increase but continuing to take on more, I ultimately begin to decrease my efforts with the second desk work load, that did not work so, I begin to lose interest in the company and management all together. With the lack of value and underappreciation I thought it was best for me to leave the company all together so within two months of me withdrawing my work efforts I found a better job opportunity and that new role was the role that essentially jump started my career and because of that role I was able to continue to learn and grow within my industry and career path. I think that experience was a huge learning and growth curve in my career and looking back it was the push that got me out of my comfort zone and helped grow my career even though at the time it was not a great feeling or experience.
