Ghost Growth at Work: Empty Promises Leave Employees Burned Out

A new survey finds that most U.S. workers are experiencing “ghost growth” in their careers — promises of advancement that never actually arrive. According to a MyPerfectResume report, 65% of employees say they’ve taken on extra duties without a raise, promotion, or more authority, leaving many feeling overworked, underpaid, and burned out. Nearly 70% admitted they’ve considered quitting over these broken promises, and almost 30% already have. Career experts warn that this “growth theater” — offering recognition without real rewards — erodes trust and drives turnover. Workers say real growth should mean tangible outcomes like pay raises, leadership roles, upskilling opportunities, and better work-life balance.