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OPINION
The value of loyalty
With all the discussion about the “great resignation,” why isn’t anyone talking about the employees that aren’t jumping ship?
A quick internet search will show you that employee retention statistics have changed wildly over the past few years, and it’s not just because of the global pandemic. Employee loyalty statistics show that the average tenure of employment has decreased steadily over the past 10 years. On average, an employee will stay with their company for only four years.
Alan Lloyd, CIH, CSP, ENV SP
Social media isn’t helping, especially with the younger generation. Videos and articles on Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok are telling millennials and Gen Z employees they should change jobs every two to three years or they will be left behind! Loyalty is not something people talk about much lately, and even then, it’s usually in the negative. So, this begs the question, what is the value of staying at a company? What is the value of not jumping around every few years? What is the value of loyalty? As a Gen X executive who has stayed at the same engineering firm for more than 21 years, I often ask myself this question. And every time I answer, I determine the value of staying exceeds the benefits of leaving. With that knowledge, I’ve been able to
lead by example trying to instill the same values in my team. While we can’t always avoid turnover, my small team of 24 environmental, health, and safety professionals grew to 75 in just over five years – and two of those years were during the pandemic! What is it that makes me stay? Is it the company? My team? Honestly, the answer is going to be different for each person, and even my answer changes with time. But I have found that there are three main benefits that have been consistent throughout my two decades at Pennoni. The three values of loyalty that I’ve seen in my career have included: 1. Taking risks to chase your dreams. Loyalty is
See ALAN LLOYD, page 4
THE ZWEIG LETTER JULY 11, 2022, ISSUE 1448
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