What do you believe is the reason behind the amount of turnover in today's workforce?

Question

50 years ago, people used to be pretty static and loyal to their company. Now, people are liquid. Why is this?

Answer 1

I think the other posters are oversimplifying the question.

It's true that work ethics have changed--but I think this is not so much a cause of high turnover in jobs, as it is an effect. Because people know that most jobs don't last very long, people are less dedicated to their companies. It's also true that the company's attitude towards management encourages this bad work ethic.

In the past, companies thought much more in the long-term than they do nowadays. Such companies would put more thought into hiring, and they would do their best to retain the best workers, and to invest in their training and education. Nowadays, due to a variety of factors (the information age, quickly changing technology, globalization and companies moving overseas, etc.), much of our current economy has become driven by short-term thinking.

Companies are driven by continuous quarterly profits and often make decisions that may be bad in the long term, just because they result in more immediate profits. Instead of viewing their employees as people, people who the company can invest in for the long-term, companies view workers as disposable, like just another commodity. This results in an atmosphere where everyone feels like they could lose their job any day--and who is going to be committed to their employer if they feel they could be fired on a whim?

This in turn creates both a bad work-ethic, and also an environment in which employees are more likely to "shop around" for better jobs, which ends up creating even more turnover.

Although some turnover is good and necessary, the high amount of turnover we have today in America is very negative--it amounts to high costs for businesses as well as adverse effects for the stability and lives of people who are switching jobs. Some businesses have undertaken great lengths to reduce the high turnover. I've included a few web links--there's a huge amount of material on this on the web--try searching for "employee turnover" or "employee retention" as a start. (Retention is the opposite of turnover--a more positive way of talking about this issue.) I hope you find this helpful!

Answer 2

People are always looking for something better/ higher pay. Our economy is growing at a much more rapid pace and there is always new oppurtunities. Whereas 50 years ago (or so) there was not many oppurtunities, but there is a variety of places to work now. I think some of it is how people treat others & are treated. Morals, respect and up-standing are mostly out the door. The entire outlook of a "job" has changed. Now we look for not only an income source but something we enjoy because your job is part of your life its what makes you who you are. At the same time in this quest to be happy, if something is not going our way or anything wrong happens we quit and start our quest to be happiness again( this cycle keeps repeating). Whereas "work was something you had to do to pay the bills.

Answer 3

you're fairly good - that's a theory - there's no logic or reason you ought to have self belief something that may no longer provable. yet we've quite some technology that may no longer yet chanced on or provable, only a theory or theoretical. So we could ask, is there theoretical evidence for the existence of God? existence exists, yet guy won't be able to make certain how or why? score a million for God. we've an innate inner experience that all of us be attentive to good from incorrect that is going previous instinct? why - score 2 for God. on condition that each and each physique existence started from a single adventure, why the great variety? does no longer evolution force each and every thing to a single suitable existence form - is that the logical end to evolution? score 3 for God. once you finally end up in a existence or dying difficulty, for some unusual reason - the existence of a God is now no longer puzzled. no longer lots atheists return from wars.

Answer 4

Since I come from a family that was raised on farms and had to learn to survive on their own, I am very fortunate to have the aptitude instilled within me. I seen what daily life was like-feeding the animals, collecting eggs, tilling and planting, working dusk to dawn, just to do it over again the next day. Life was not easy and you had to set goals and achieve them. What has happened to our workforce? It is way to easy to bounce from job to job. A lot of employees gripe about pay. But, I believe if a person stays with an employer and shows loyalty that they will be rewarded. (fairy tale you may be thinking) More later.....

Answer 5

No work ethics any more. When I did the hiring for my construction crews I would have people come in with resumes that had 10-12 jobs listed for 2 years. No one gets a job and keeps it any more. I dont know how anyone expects to build up any kind of retirement. They need to realize that unless they want to job hop until they drop over from old age that social security will NOT support them when they are old.

Answer 6

It seems very few people possess a good work ethic, therefore it's too easy for them to lie about the reasons they take off time (they are sick, their babies are sick, their dog is sick, their big toe is sick)! It ticks off the coworkers who complain to the manager who complain to the owners and *boom*, they're fired and everyone else has to take up the slack until someone else is hired and trained! It makes for poor working conditions, to say the least!

Answer 7

1, Americans are lazy
2. We always want something better and feel that the grass is greener, which it usually isnt
3 our economy grows at a much more rapid pace and there is always new oppurtunities.

Answer 8

Bad Bosses

crappy jobs

not enough pay

Answer 9

people want to get paid not to actully work...
goverment makes it to easy to live for free

Answer 10

DAYS DEMAND