And then people are surprised burnout rates are as high as they are. Lack of mental stimulation leading to burnout is the white-collar equivalent of repetitive stress injury at jobs that put strain on the body.
> Your job is to deliver reliable, lasting value.
Nobody is actually paying you for that. In fact, it's probably counterproductive to the business goals.
> Overcomplicating the architecture for the sake of job security is a con you run on your employer.
On the other hand, "work ethics" and professionalism in modern workforce is a con your employer runs on you. The further above and beyond you go, the more work they get out of you for the same pay.
Yes, I'm being a bit obtuse here. But my point is, there needs to be a balance. Or at least a mutual understanding of conflicting incentives. We can't demand facets of professionalism in the way that benefits employers short-term, but deny and scorn those that empower the professional. Independent learning and broadening one's experience is a part of what being a professional means.