Career Coach | Speaker | Trainer
I specialise in empowering women to navigate, excel, and lead in their careers with confidence and clear direction.
Have you ever felt like you’re on a hamster wheel of tasks that aren’t getting you any closer to that promotion? You’re not alone. Many find themselves trapped in what we call “non-promotable work.” But what does this really mean, and more importantly, how can you break free and fast track your career?
Non-promotable work is like the unsung hero of the office—it’s necessary, but it rarely gets you the recognition or career boost you’re aiming for. These are the thankless tasks that keep the wheels turning but don’t showcase your skills or leadership potential. Think of it as the behind-the-scenes work: organising team events, handling admin duties, or coordinating meetings. Sure, they’re crucial for keeping the day-to-day running smoothly, but they’re not the kind of tasks that will catapult you up the career ladder.
The real problem with non-promotable work is that it’s a time and energy thief—sneakily chipping away at the hours you could be spending on high-impact tasks that actually move the needle. Picture this: you’re a superhero at work, ready to swoop in and drive major change, but instead of leading strategic projects, you’re stuck under a mountain of admin tasks. Sure, these tasks are necessary to keep things running smoothly, but they don’t exactly showcase your strategic thinking or leadership skills.
In the book ‘The No Club: Putting a Stop to Women’s Dead-Ended Work’, the authors reveal a startling finding: women spend up to 200 more hours a year on non-promotable activities. That’s an ENTIRE MONTH of work!
Think about it—those 200 hours could either be seen as extra work you’re putting in each year or as time that’s not being used on tasks that truly impact your career and add value to your organisation.
I’m not saying that men never do non-promotable work, but the research is clear: women are doing more of it—sometimes a lot more. In fact, studies show that women are 48% more likely to volunteer for tasks no one else wants to do. And it’s not just about volunteering; managers—both men and women—are 44% more likely to assign women non-promotable tasks.
We could spend all day debating why this happens, but much of it ties back to social conditioning and workplace bias. From a young age, girls are taught to people-please, to put others’ needs first, and to believe that simply working hard will get them the careers they want—without being told there’s a whole lot more to it than that.
Reflecting on my 20+ year career in banking, I realise I was both a victim and a perpetrator of non-promotable work—without even knowing it.
As a ‘victim,’ I constantly heard the advice to do more, build my profile, and get more exposure. This led me to volunteer—or be volunteered—for numerous committees and projects. While some of these opportunities were beneficial, many made it hard to focus on my core responsibilities, which were ultimately the key factors in my year-end performance reviews.
The real turning point came when I started making more strategic decisions about which committees and projects to take on. That’s when I saw real benefits to my career.
On the flip side, as a ‘perpetrator,’ I often delegated tasks to those I knew would get the job done without much fuss—sound familiar? It wasn’t until later that I recognised this as an unconscious bias, one that I wish I had been more aware of at the time. With the insights I’ve gained, I’m now much more conscious of how these decisions impact others.
The first step to managing and reducing non-promotable work is being able to spot it. Here are four telltale signs to help you identify these career culprits:
What is non-promotable work costing you? If you find yourself stuck in tasks that don’t drive your career forward, it’s time to take control and shift your focus.
Navigating your career isn’t just about getting tasks done—it’s about strategically balancing necessary work with tasks that drive your growth and recognition.
Managing non-promotable work effectively is crucial for achieving your career goals and personal satisfaction. By identifying these tasks and shifting your focus to high-impact work, you can take control of your career trajectory. It’s not just about workload management; it’s about prioritising tasks that align with your goals, building visibility, and advocating for your professional development.
As you navigate these challenges, remember that your journey is unique. I’d love to hear how you’re applying these insights in your own career. What strategies have worked for you? Are there specific challenges you’re facing that we could explore together?
If you’re interested in more tips and strategies for career development and navigating workplace dynamics, be sure to subscribe to our newsletter here. And if you want to be among the first to know when ‘The Career Activist Academy’ opens for new participants, add your name to the insiders list here.
Looking forward to hearing from you and supporting you on your journey to career advancement!
P.S. None of this takes into account any invisible work you might also be doing outside of work…raising children, running a household, caring for an elderly parent and so many more tasks that often fall in unequal quantities to women.
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