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I agree with Peter on this. It goes both ways...your loyalty to your
employer and the employers care of you.
I know of more than a few few dozen technical writers who have changed jobs
almost every year. Several I've seen get one job, and begin sending out
their resumes for the next one. They are only interested in finding one that
pays a few extra bucks or has some different benefit.
Some of these folks, by the way, seem to put more effort into jobhunting
than they do into their jobs... I don't understand this mentality. ?? What
they do in 8 hours, I could do in about 2! Their contribution is minimal,
and I imagine companies with many of these types struggle more than they
should have to due to these "lost resources" (those 6 hours of
"non-contribution of effort") This type of work attitude in bulk has led to
the "commodity" attitude.
If a company hires you, they are paying you to work for them. They are
investing in you. You as an employee should invest in them, providing your
elbow grease along with your colleagues to ensure the company's success.
Everyone impacts the bottom line, because everyone is drawing out of the
company...and everyone needs to be returning via effort.
I worked at an engineering company for years. Many of us at that company
stayed for well over a decade. Some folks are still there and going into
their second decade. The company was loyal to employees, providing good
benefits and raises based on productivity... effort was (and is) rewarded.
Many of us there felt a loyalty and, as one engineer put it, "I would want
to retire from this company." That is the kind of relationship you want to
build with an employer, which can give YOU an opportunity for promotion,
career, etc.
By the way, that engineering company went even further in the idea of
loyalty. They requested employees use products created by their clients!
If they did engineering work for a tissue company, for example, they advised
us and asked that we purchase that company's paper products. That is
loyalty.
In the small company I'm with now, we expect the same give/take from our
consultants. We pay very well, and expect hired consultants to work hard for
that pay and to be loyal/respectful of us and our clients. Those who have
not worked hard or have treated this as "just another gig" are not provided
with future work. It is in our best interests to invest elsewhere, with
those who see the value we offer and give us value in return. To do
anything less is disrespectful and shortsighted.
My two cents...now off to get some coffee!
Kay
-----Original Message-----
From: Peter
Sent: Wednesday, June 11, 2003 8:14 AM
To: TECHWR-L
Cc: TECHWR-L
Subject: Re: Loyalty cuts
What about the old fashioned concept of loyalty to an organization, for
so long as they keep their commitment to you.
Have our personal values and self esteem sunk to the point where we
consider ourselves just commodities available to the highest bidder. If
we feel that way about ourselves, why do we bemoan that we are treated
like commodities. After all you are just an employee.
---
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