Surveys estimate that about 65 percent of U.S. workers report experiencing "ghost growth", with many saying their official role looks more senior than their actual compensation, decision-making power, or prospects justify.

Workers experiencing ghost growth commonly report frustration, burnout, and a sense of being trapped or misled because they are encouraged to "step up" and "act like leaders" but see no corresponding recognition in salary or title.

Survey data discussed in Outsource Accelerator's source material and other outlets show roughly 20 percent of workers describing burnout, about a quarter reporting high frustration, and a sizable minority saying they feel stuck, disengaged, or unsure where they stand with their employer.

Source: https://news.outsourceaccelerator.com/workers-stuck-in-ghost-growth/; https://www.forbes.com/sites/carolinecenizalevine/2025/09/25/ghost-growth-can-kill-your-career--5-steps-to-real-career-advancement/

So, the question for our readers is: Is Ghost Growth Real Or Imaginary?

Here is the opinion of one of the McCalmon editorial staff:

Jack McCalmon, Esq.

"Ghost growth" is a new label for a long-standing issue. In the mid?2000s, during relatively tight labor markets prior to the Great Recession, some employers sought to retain staff by awarding elevated titles such as "Vice President" without providing the corresponding compensation or responsibilities traditionally associated with those roles. This strategy ultimately backfired as employees, dissatisfied with their pay and level of authority after the recession, left in large numbers, often leveraging their inflated titles - despite misalignment with their actual skills or prior contributions - to obtain higher compensation and greater responsibility with new employers.

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