The Organization Man, “The Sequel”
William H. Whyte Jr.’s The Organization Man was a seminal work of the 1950’s .The book detailed what Mr. Whyte believed was the sacrifice of a generation in exchange for finding and keeping jobs that promised security. That generation came of age in the “Great Depression.”
Are we on track for The Organization Man, “The Sequel?” In their Global Workforce Study released today Towers Watson, a human capital firm, showed a workforce weary of the fallout from the recession. And, perhaps not surprisingly, there is a renewed interest in job security. When respondents were asked about the factors most important in a preferred work situation, 86% chose a secure and stable position. Fewer, 74%, chose substantially higher levels of compensation.
Has the pendulum swung away from the idea Daniel H. Pink, author of the recently released Drive, first popularized in Free Agent Nation? Said Laura Sejen, a leader of the company’s Talent and Rewards business, “Where once employers fretted over a ‘war for talent,’ now they must plan for a workforce that appears ready to settle in for years—perhaps even decades.”,
What will this mean for those joining the workforce in coming years, and folks who are delaying retirement? Share your thoughts!
Tags: Daniel H. Pink, employee attitudes, free agent nation, job security, organization man, recession, war for talent, William H. Whyte Jr., workplace trends
