Consider how the concept of the employee has changed over the years. At one time an employee entered an organization and pretty much was assured of staying with that company for his/her whole career unless they chose to leave for one reason or another. Except for misconduct, some mild recessions or some obsolescence employment was pretty steady and assured. If you wanted to work, you could find a job, for the most part.That picture has been changing since the mid-seventies and it took a big leap in its new direction two years ago with the recession. A large part of this change is due in no small measure on how we view investment. At one time people looked at their investments as long-term. No one expected to make a quick buck and move on. When you invested it was with an eye on tomorrow. Not today.
So what happens when quarterly and annual reports do not show the results that stockholders want? They take their money and go play elsewhere. Since Equity is a component used to leverage borrowings they have to find some way to reduce expenses. Care to guess what the quickest way to reduce expenses is? That’s right, lay off workers.
In addition, production expectations of employees have changed over the years. Many office workers are expected to produce in quantity, sometimes to a degree that they do not have the time to properly analyze the information they are processing. When irregularities are noticed by some particularly alert and ethical employee and brought to the attention of management, they may be ignored, pooh-poohed or dismissed out of hand. If the employee spends some effort trying to get someone to listen, that employee may find themselves looking for new employment. It’s hard to prove a dismissal for whistle blowing.
As a result of all these changes in the modern work environment employees need to rethink their approach in working in Corporate America. In fact the employee should take more of an entrepreneurial approach to their jobs. What does that entail?
As an entrepreneur you keep a bird’s eye view on your clients or customers. This means being aware of trends in their industries as well as where they place in that industry. You also keep your ears open for any negative rumors, which you quietly check out, without adding anymore fuel to the fire. It means that if the company is headed to hard times, if you are not already casting about to add new customers you begin to look at the possibility that this customer may go away. (i.e. lay you off.) You want to be current on all this information, don’t walk around with your head in the sand until you’ve lost your window to make a move on your own terms.
It also means that you do not discuss your concerns with just anyone. In fact, other than reporting ethical and/or moral and/or illegal matters to the appropriate authority in the organization, I would not suggest that you discuss your concerns with another single employee, no matter how trustworthy or close they may be. If you need to discuss these matters with someone, discuss them with a private counselor or coach. You would do no less in your own business. For instance, if you were having personnel problems in your organization and needed some advice, you would not turn to another employee to get that advice. You would turn to someone you trusted and who exercised discretion with no ties to the company.
As for whistle blowing, that is tricky. Depending on the seriousness of the matter and the resistance of management to address it, you might want to set up your exit strategy before you pursue it to any degree. Whistle blowers are generally considered anathema by all employers and often find it difficult to find work once let go by their employers. It takes great courage, a strong sense of ethics and moral fortitude to be a whistle blower. However you handle it, make sure you keep good records.
One last area to consider is making yourself known in your area of expertise and in the market. That means networking while you are employed. Make friends. Help people where you can. Become known as the go to person and people will start thinking of you first when they are looking for someone to fill a place in their organization. Additionally, so that you don’t become locked in with one company to the extent that people become concerned about your ability to adapt to changes, you might want to consider changing jobs every three to five years. Many people do this anyway in order to advance their careers. It is a quicker way to move up the corporate ladder than waiting for an opening in your present organization. Also, many corporations actually prefer personnel to change every three to five years as it brings in fresh blood and new ideas. The perception is that people become stale and complacent when in one position and with one company for too long.While the problems and concerns voiced above have been around for a long time they are of greater concern in the current corporate environment. Thinking like an entrepreneur and making conscious decisions about your relationships with colleagues and employers may help to ease your way through the current employment market.
