Getting a promotion increases the likelihood of serious health problems.

A study of 1,000 adults who had been recently promoted found that workers suffer 10 percent more stress in their new position. Previous studies have shown that stress -- particularly job-related stress -- results in increased rates of heart disease, flu virus, cancer and type 2 diabetes, even after taking into account factors such as age, weight and exercise.

Compounding the problem is that workers become less likely to take time out for a doctor's appointment when they get a better job title.

Of course, losing your job also causes stress, so it seems one of the keys to a healthy lifestyle is being able to establish a consistent but sustainable record of workplace mediocrity.\

(Asylum: http://www.asylum.com/2009/04/13/job-promotions-are-bad-for-your-health/ )

Notice how they said "recently" promoted. Of course a person is going to have stress when they get promoted to a new position, since it's often more demanding and new to them. However, it's not like someone who just recently got promoted is going to be stressed for the next few months or years.

And 10% more stressed? How do they even calculate that?!!

"On a scale from 1 to 10 how stressed are you."

More or less.  Often times they mask it with a ton of 1-10 questions that ask similar questions or partial questions like "Have you had more trouble sleeping lately."

If they're really into it... blood pressure tests and other stuff too.

I can see how this is true, but it cant be sustained over a period of months or years, itsmost likely a temporary thing

The "1-10" tests are really stupid. Blood pressure sort of works, but too many other factors would affect it.

Hey don't shoot the messenger.  Self reporting tests can be fairly accurate assuming you get before and afters rather then comparing two different groups of people.  Though this is only as accurate as they people are aware of their situation.

Of course how would you target "people about to get promoted"  Guess you could set down in a particular company, test everybody and use the non promoted as controls.

I don't think I did. Maybe I should have put safety on. Well, I usually make sure not to shoot the messenger but if I did in this case, I'm sorry.

I am a 40 year old Senior Software Developer. Most people my age have moved into management or software architecture. I chose not to (both have been offered to me a few times).

I would probably be making 50% more then I make today, but I would hate my job, and I would be doing something I am no where near as good at.

We have 6 developers in my shop, 8 Business Analysts, and 4 Project Managers. Most developers are given requirements from the BA'a, and then code what they are told.

I am the only developer that does not have a BA or a PM. I am a department of one. I get to be this, because I have as much experience as any developer+BA+PM we have. because I get to play all roles, the things I develop are much better then if the person talking to the customer was not the developer.

I consistently produce the best work (because I am the only one they give the opportunity to), and if I could have my way, I would do exactly what I am doing until I retire.

I get to sit with the customer, learn how they do there job, suggest a solution, build it, deploy it, and get all the satisfaction with truly owning a project from cradle to grave. It's the greatest job I could think of having, and I am excited to go to work every day.

Why is that mediocrity?

Promotions are overrated.

*Whispers*

It might have been sarcasm/a joke.

Doh!