If semver says the next version is 2.2, then it's 2.2, what discussion is there to side step?
If I worked on a product that was version 2.1 when I started, and 5 years later was on version 6.5 without any actual rewrites or improvements in it, I would find that just as demotivating.
Such a stable environment would leave a lot of room for side projects on a stable paycheck, or getting some extracurricular qualifications.
Edit: added Vista... thanks!