This is the hidden cost of being a 'good' worker

"When we begin a new role, we start by mastering the tasks in our job description. But then we start taking on more responsibilities. There's a name for this phenomenon- job creep. Tasks that were once above and beyond our job duties slowly become the norm."

"During the final week, we respond to emails at night after the kids have gone to bed (even though we promised ourselves we would never be a person who does that). In doing so, we've sent a signal to our coworkers that we'll respond at night. So even after the big project is done, we feel the need to occasionally check our email before bed and respond."

"When we love our job and are advancing in our careers, job creep isn't bad. It's how we develop as employees and climb the organizational ladder. Because it happens gradually, we often don't notice this ballooning. Until it causes an event that disrupts our well-being or relationships outside of work."

"So why do so many of us unwittingly give in to job creep? Because companies reward this behavior."

Job creep is the gradual expansion of work responsibilities beyond the original job description. It begins when employees master their core tasks and incrementally take on additional responsibilities. A crossover jolt occurs when an external personal event reveals how much work has infiltrated life outside the workplace. During intense projects, employees may work after hours, signaling availability to coworkers. This behavior becomes normalized, and the boundary between work and personal time erodes. While job creep can be beneficial for career advancement when managed well, it becomes problematic when it disrupts personal well-being and relationships. Companies often reward this behavior, incentivizing employees to exceed their job descriptions.

Read at Fast Company