What do employers owe us, and what do we owe our employers? The question goes to the heart of what we think counts as honorable behavior, of our sense of what we can control, and of what we perceive as the place of ethics in paid labor. Contemporary transformations of work have included the erosion of the old social contract, in which employers promised some sort of job security in return for workers’ loyalty and effort. While that bargain was limited in time and its beneficiaries, increases in actual and perceived job insecurity suggest that for many employers, this set of obligations no longer applies. Yet, at the same time, full-time work continues to be a central component of identity for many, and for some populations— women, young adults—its importance has even increased. These opposing trends—the increases in actual and perceived job insecurity, which we might predict would promote less work attachment—and the increased intensity and cultural importance of full-time employment, which we might predict would promote more work attachment—generate a cultural and emotional collision in people’s lives.

...

    Most of the rest, however, seemed to accept that insecurity prevails at work and, like Beth, excuse employers for “hatcheting,” even as they maintained high expectations for their own duty and dedication. Ultimately, the one-way honor system generates a set of very real enigmas: Why do people hold themselves to a different standard of loyalty than they expect of their employers? Given the widespread sense that employers have left the terms of the old social contract behind, why are employees still affirming their own dedication? Furthermore, how do people reconcile themselves emotionally to the uneven balance of obligation at work?


_refugee_:

Things that I have learned that are relevant to this article:

1) Never tell an employer you are considering leaving unless you have an offer in the hand. b) Never tell them you're considering leaving unless you are willing to actually take that offer that's in your hand.

2) When you tell your boss you are looking for a new job, you move up to the first slot in your boss' mental "Order in Which I Would If I Had To Fire" list. That's because it's a lot easier to fire someone who you know/believe was already looking, than someone who's not. Never tell your boss you are looking.

3) Your company will not be loyal to you. Do not base your employment decisions based on doing good to the company. Do not base your decisions on appearing loyal. Base them on what is right for you, and only you.

4) If you aren't connected emotionally to your coworkers there's practically nothing keeping you in your job. It's easier to leave when you're not friends with them. Being friends with them will make you stay.

5) You can execute 100% of your job demands and get a mediocre end-of-year review because "you aren't trying hard enough," while your coworker can get an above-average review for not executing at 100%, if it is clear he is trying very hard. Your job would rather see you sweat and think they are using your time well than have you be great at your job and relaxed.

6) Never ask for more work. It is your boss' job to know how busy you are, if you can handle more work, and to give it to you.

7) Following #6 could give rise to #5 occurring before your very eyes. However, is it your job to tell your employer you aren't at 100% capacity? Or, if they're a good boss...shouldn't they know?

8) A good employee is worth far more to their employer what they are being paid. If you bring value to your work, they will work with you to try and make you happy.

9) A good employee is, as insomniasexx said very wisely the other day, someone who makes their boss' job easier. Someone who fixes problems. Someone who executes. Keep executing, keep doing what you were hired for, keep making your boss' life easier more days than you make it harder, and chances are you will be doing all right.

This article talks a lot about what I'd consider "modern working myths" that I think are very valid. These points are kind of my take on those myths as I've seen them applied in practice. I think this article says a lot of very good important things and I just wanted to add my experience and spin on what was already a solid foundation of thought.

I think we buy into this whole "you have to go above and beyond and commit and be amazing all the time" idea that really benefits our employers and no one else. Your company won't be loyal to you. Don't be loyal to it.

If you doubt this, consider the following: when companies conduct job interviews they routinely interview many people for one position. It's become common practice, from what I've observed, for a company to not inform those who don't make the cut - if you ever had an interview and then had to linger for 2+ weeks wondering what happened, only to find you didn't get the job (upon calling and inquiring, or emailing and asking, or generally YOU reaching out AGAIN to find out information you were supposed to be included on). It would never, EVER be acceptable for a candidate to 'turn down' an offer by this kind of omission. It's considered incredibly unprofessional and many applicants are warned such behavior could cause them to be black listed as a candidate. However, companies can do this to people all the time and are never black listed. It's a completely uneven balance of power very much in the favor of the company and it isn't right.


posted 3189 days ago