passion tax

Enter the concept of the passion tax, also known as enthusiasm exploitation. This phenomenon describes the tendency for employers to undervalue and underpay workers who are passionate about their jobs, particularly those in fields seen as inherently rewarding.

The Passion Tax: When Loving Your Work Costs You Mari Ono, MBA 2024

I can’t speak for the working conditions of game devs in Ireland, but I don’t see any reason to suspect it’s different than the US: game studios take advantage of the passion people have and make them work longer hours for less pay, I’ve heard it be called a “passion tax”.

Passion or money?. Game dev vs software dev/engineering Natkiio 2025

Most of us in the museum field are well acquainted with the idea of the “passion tax”––in practice, if not by name. Frequently applied to the nonprofit and caring sectors, the passion tax refers to the financial sacrifice that is extracted from workers who love the work they do.

The Passion Subsidy – MMF: Publications | The Power-Shifting Potential of Collectivism in US Art Museums – Museums Moving Forward 2025