I'm Just Not In To You (As An Organization)

Remember when companies and employees exhibited mutual loyalty? Over the last two decades there has been a not–so-subtle shift away from loyalty as evidenced by the ever-weakening bonds between employees and employers.  An employee pointed out to me that if loyalty is not yet dead, it’s at least on life-support.

In a 2011 CareerBuilder.com report, 76% of full-time workers, while not actively looking for a new job, would leave their current workplace if the right opportunity came along.  Employees just aren’t that in to you.  No, the employees don’t say that out loud, but they sure are thinking it. 

And in 2012, they're acting on it.

Fast forward to the CareerBuilder October 2012 survey of 1,078 full-time workers (U.S. and Canada).  Sixty-nine percent of full-time workers reported that searching for new job opportunities is part of their regular routine.  Fifty-three percent of the workers said they feel like they just have a job, not a career. 

The new trend?  Employee loyalty has shifted to their careers. 

A company's ultimate responsibility and loyalty is to the bottom line.  When sales slip a company's first response can be headcount reduction, reduction in benefits, and/or pay freezes.  Managers may act in a way that communicates “we don’t care about you” or "we don’t respect you.”    The employee may now perceive that the organization has placed zero value on their talent.  But, employees have a choice and will shop around for a better deal.