Employee Loyalty should be Mutual

If you are in your 20’s, you have probably started to hear about how important it is to be loyal to your employer. You may have even started to hear a lot of seemingly rational explanations backing that up.

“People will look at you weird if you stay at a job less than 2, 3, or 5 years,” some say.

“Do the right thing by your employer, and everything will work out,” others say.

Beware of explanations like these. The first one is fearful, the second is naive, and both are lacking in data. Not exactly Lincolnesque.

Here is the actual deal - you have to be loyal to yourself first because you are responsible for your own happiness, which means your loyalty to your employer has to be mutual. Your employer has to show you some love in return for your finite time, energy, and results that you bring every work day.

Believe it or not, this is not controversial. The better employers out there agree that loyalty is mutual. They want their staff to feel fulfilled at work so they are more productive over time. This is one reason why an employee’s salary and benefits typically rise a little each year they stay on the job.

So what is the price of your loyalty to your employer? For some, it is continual upskilling and opportunities for advancement. For others, it is a flexible schedule to raise their kids, or it is a maximum salary. Whatever it is for you, define it. Make it realistic, valuable, and personally meaningful. And once it is defined, go get it.

Hopefully your current employer is delivering your price already. If not, consider starting to strategize a change. Do not do anything rash - always have a parachute before you jump from a plane - but do start thinking about smart ways to move off (or within) the plane to deliver results *and* better reach your goals. There is always a way.