It's OK to not be passionate about your job

Exploitation

The intertwining of passion and work often leads to exploitation, particularly in industries that rely heavily on unpaid or low-compensation labor. Erin Cech highlights that organizations, including powerful journalistic and governmental bodies, are built on unpaid apprenticeship models, expecting workers to demonstrate passion without financial reward 1. This expectation is not limited to the U.S.; in Korea, the concept of "passion pay" sees individuals working in the arts for minimal compensation.

The exploitation part comes in the expectation for performance of passion all the time.

--- Erin Cech

Such practices are especially prevalent in socially devalued fields like teaching and childcare, where passion is often conflated with competence and quality 2.

   

Passion Pay

The phenomenon of "passion pay" justifies underpayment by leveraging the passion of employees, particularly in fields already undervalued by society. Erin Cech explains that employers often exploit passionate workers, expecting them to work longer hours without additional pay 2. This exploitation is sometimes by design, as seen in organizations that require unpaid apprenticeships to prove one's worthiness 1.

Employers expect that people who are passionate about their work will put in more work without demanding an increase in pay.

--- Erin Cech

Such practices are not only unfair but also perpetuate inequality, as those from wealthier backgrounds are more likely to secure stable, passion-aligned jobs 2.