#12 Job Security, Is There Such A Thing?

In this episode, I talk about job security and why it seems so important to so many people and is, in my opinion, only an illusion.  

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Transcript

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Hi! This is Anita Belitz from the Wise Women’s Workplace podcast and Facebook group. Today I would like to talk about job security and why it seems so important to so many people yet is, in my opinion, only an illusion.  

Backstory (Desires internal and external)

I grew up with the image that hard work and dedication would not only get you rewards like regular promotions and salary increases, but also the reassurance of job security.

Like, if I worked hard enough and did my job perfectly, all would be fine. My employer would see how great I am doing, how important I am to the company, and they would want me around forever (and I would stay - at least as long as I was happy there, too).

But this is quite an old-fashioned belief in today’s world. The days of people working for the same organization over many years are quickly disappearing. In fact, the younger you are the more you will change jobs over your career. According to the Economic News Release from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics people stay at their jobs on average about 4.5 years now. A little shorter for less experienced employees, and a little more for more experienced employees.

Listening to those statistics, it would seem like changing jobs every 3 to 5 years is already pretty common.

Yet, I hear all the time that so many of us cling to jobs that we are miserable in because we believe we have a dependable and secure situation. What is so attractive about job security?!?!?

What is security in a job, really? Many would define it as having a job in a company that is likely to continue existing for some time and from which you are quite unlikely to be dismissed. It seems to be very high on the list of things we seek in a position. But why?

Is it because we like routine? Most would likely say that is not the main attraction. Is it because that way we can plan out our career in a predictable way? Some might see it that way, but in my experience most people aren’t so deliberate and disciplined in their planning and execution of their career evolution.  

So if there’s all this changing going on that I mentioned before, why are people are so afraid to lose their job?

- It used to be that people were afraid of feeling ashamed about losing their job, but it’s not so much of a social stigma anymore. These days it’s common to hear stories of people losing their job as a result of changes within a company’s strategy or because of a reorganization, or because of financial reasons. Sometimes new management wants to make their mark, or comes up with some elaborate plan to quote-unquote “improve things”, and you are just on the unfortunate end of the formula. We see it happen all the time! And yet, people are terrified of losing their job. So, what is the thing about job security that is so enticing?

-  Is it because it somehow makes us feel safe? Ah, now I think I am on to something! I’ve noticed in speaking with people that somehow losing a job can be seen as life threating. OK, maybe that’s a slight exaggeration, but it seems to come down to the money, for many people. To their financial situation. To the fear of being left without a reasonable – or comfortable – level of income. And that is a serious concern – it impacts your life and quality of living, for you and your loved ones.

But I speak to so many people who tell me they hate the job they are in, but they are afraid of seeking out another. They prefer job security.

But I would argue that in this day and age, no job is really secure. Let’s look at it from these two perspectives: your company and you:

The first consideration is about your company:

-  You have absolutely no guarantees that your job, company, or even the market that you are in, are going to be there over the long run. If this is true, there is no security, by definition. There may be reasonable probabilities, but there is no guarantee. But quite frankly, what have you experienced that has stayed strong over many years? It can happen, but it is less and less common. And your job performance has no real influence in this case.

-  And, even when things are going really well, business has become so impersonal – it’s all about what is in the best interest of the company and about the company meeting the set objectives. If your job needs to be eliminated because that is what makes the most sense for the organization, then it will necessarily be eliminated. And either you understand that approach because you apply the same rationale to your own situation – as in you should do what’s in your best interest, too, ---- or your loyalty for the company is so strong, that you actually put the interests of the company before your own and believe that if your position needs to be eliminated because it is in the best interest of the company, then you will agree and you will know it is just time for you to move on.  It’s not personal – it’s a business decision.

The second consideration is you: Today you have options in front of you like never before. That isn’t to say that changing jobs is easy, but there has probably never been such a cross-over in skill sets across fields as today or the number of entrepreneurs popping up like never before. So you may have noticed that there is diminishing loyalty from the employee to the company, as well. Things can change so quickly – both with the company’s outlook and with our own. People may anticipate changes in their company and look for another job before being let go. Or they may decide it is time to move on for other reasons, which aren’t always negative. Many people feel the need to change jobs to increase their salary, improve their skill set, gain new experience, or simply to remain motivated. Given the choice, most people would jump at the chance for a better job, with better pay, or better conditions. It’s just that most people are afraid of taking that step because there are no guarantees, and so many unhappy employees don’t even seriously consider these alternatives.

Job security is an illusion. It’s a nice idea, but it just doesn’t really exist anymore, in my opinion.

I get it, we all want to feel safe. We want the comfort of routine to some extent. But I would argue, things can change at any time and if we are completely blindsided by an unexpected change in the work situation, it will be that much harder to deal with. And just know, delving into the possibilities of other options doesn’t have to be scary. It doesn’t mean you have to change your job tomorrow. But thinking about your situation will give you increased clarity and can make you feel so much better because you can be more deliberate in your career steps.

So here is what I would like to leave you with: If you believe job security is worth your daily unhappiness and how that can impact your life, please consider if job security is a reality or wishful thinking.  Know that your company is just a company and is meant to perform at its peak – the company’s objectives may change and that may lead to an unexpected change in your situation. And, as an employee, you may soon want to improve your situation – if you don’t want to do so already. So I suggest to be mindful, give your career and your aspirations your attention! 

I’ve said it before, you are your biggest asset. Make sure to take good care of you. It’s your job to do so.

If this is your case, you may recognize the exhilaration that comes along with changing a job – new company, new team, new ways of working, hopefully some new experiences, too. There’s probably some apprehension too. New company, new team, new ways of working, new experiences. It’s all part of the package. And it can be nerve-wracking!