The Job Security Fallacy

We recently watched “Up in the Air”.  The movie follows Ryan Bingham (played by George Clooney) a man whose job consists of flying around the country and firing people.  The movie contains several scenes of Bingham doing his job by informing people that they have lost theirs.  The director cast several people that had recently gone through a job loss in the roles of the terminated employees, undoubtedly to add validity to their depictions.

Putting the merits of the movie aside (we liked the story, pace, and characters), I was very surprised to find that the scenes showing people loosing their job evoked a strong visceral response from me.  My response was not of disdain and disgust for Bingham the ax man, nor for the faceless employer that brought in a consultant to do their dirty work.  My anger and agitation was focused on the employees.  Each employee reacts with shock and dismay to the news; most posing rhetorical questions like “What am I going to tell my kids?”, “I’ve worked here for 25 years and this is what I get?”, “How am I going to pay my bills”, or “How can you live with yourself?”  While these scenes were probably meant to have movie watchers put themselves in the place of the employees and empathize with them I had very little compassion.  (I think part of my reaction was getting out of my chair, pacing, and yelling at the t.v.  Strange, I know.)

I began thinking about the root cause of my reaction.  Was it based on my own termination that occurred in 2001?  Was it because I saw the employees as weak and naive?  I finally figured out that my agitation was with the employees believing in an un-truth.  They put their faith in the fallacy of “Job Security”.

In his blog post “Job Security is the Devil“  Paul Smith shares the statistic:

“According to the SHRM Workplace Visions survey from last year on job satisfaction, upwards of over 60% polled claim job security is what they value the most.”

Smith also says, “I’ve heard the greatest trick that the Devil ever pulled was convincing people he did not exist.  I say the opposite.  The greatest trick the Devil ever pulled was convincing people to value something that did not exist.”

I believe that employees should no longer carry the expectation of being “taken care of” for their entire careers.  The expectation of: “I’ll just put in my time and the company will take care of me” is poisonous for the growth and motivation of employees.  This false expectation removes all need for learning new skills, taking risks, or making any changes to the status quo.  It also causes the reactions shown on the film – disbelief, anger, and rejection when a downsizing occurs.  I’m not saying that a termination should be greeted with jubilation, but with a stoic understanding, an acknowledgment of change occurring, a change that will not define who it’s happening to, an end that brings on a new beginning.

Instead of “Job Security” I say employees should seek “Marketability”.  What is the value, skill, attitude that you bring to the market?  How are you proving day-in, day-out that you are a valuable member of the team and that the company continually benefits from your contributions?  Marketable employees are empowered to continue their participation in their field of work regardless of the opinion of one company.

Here are five practical ways to maintain your marketability.

1. Seek your passion, not money
Recently our pastor, Sean Azzaro, delivered a great sermon on “Passion At Work!”  You can listen to it here.  When you work at your dream job and not a J-O-B your approach to your work is transformed.  Read Leo Babauta’s post titled “The Short but Powerful Guide to Finding Your Passion.”

2. ‘Sell’ yourself every day
Continue to prove your worth to your employer.  Remind your team that you are there to serve.  Stand out.  Be remembered.

3. Sharpen the saw
In Stephen Covey’s book “The Seven Habits of Highly Effective People” Habit 7 is related to self-rejuvenation: Sharpening the Saw.  Covey’s website describes it as “…having a balanced program for self-renewal in the four areas of your life: physical, social/emotional, mental, and spiritual.”  Learn a new skill.  Take a retreat of silence.  Spend time in the outdoors.  Exercise.

4.  Act as if you worked on straight commission
The truth is that we are all on straight commission.  As Dave Ramsey says, try not showing up for work for a month and see if you’re still employed.

5.  Get and stay debt free
The need for “Job Security” is more than likely related to money insecurity.  The employee who hears “you’re terminated” and has no debt and half a million dollars in the bank reacts differently than the one with two car notes, and $50,000 in credit card debt.

If Job Security is a fallacy then where should you put your faith?  For us, we choose to put our faith in God as our provider.  We have experienced the truth of His promises and there’s nowhere else we would go for our security.