It is safe to say in 2015, that there is no such thing as job security. For those unfamiliar with the terminology, according to Wikipedia 'job security' can be defined as, "the probability that an individual will keep his or her job; a job with such security that it is unlikely he or she would become unemployed."
It is said or believed that the greater your skill set, the more likely you will be able to maintain or preserve your position at a company. The U.S. Civil Rights Act of 1964 made the attempt to make it illegal to fire employees for "certain reasons". Unions can additionally strongly influence job security. Jobs that traditionally have a strong union presence such as many government positions, and additional sectors in education, healthcare and law enforcement are considered more secure while many non-unionized jobs in the private sector are generally believed to offer lower job security. This does however vary with industry and country.
At the end of the day, neither a Civil Rights Act of 1964 (!!!), nor union representation can cease the inevitable departure of employment that an employee may potentially face within their career span. Aside from the fact that many states practice "at-will employment" which is a term used in the U.S. labor law for contractual relationships in which an employee for any reason without having to establish "just cause" for termination, and without warning. There are a host of other justifications which would affect an employee, and send them packing. Another fine example would be when a corporation executes a restructuring and down-sizes in varied positions. The employee, despite their skill set, may very well see themselves on the other side of the office door.
This stinks, I know, yet it is a cold reality. My advisement to you? Never be so comfortable in your position so as to think you are a shoe-in for retaining your position.
Another means of inching employees out the door...?
While an administration of a company would NEVER admit to this; the creation of a hostile work environment may manifest, (as quiet as it is kept) in an attempt to minimize positions with an expectation of the few employees left to succeed as if business were as usual.
This usually occurs when an organization fails to hold itself accountable to creating a work environment conducive to achievement. And when all else fails, simply provide them with some form of disciplinary action which would lead to potential termination of employment (which would be the underlying intent in the downsizing process.)
While this seems a tad drastic and risky from a legal perspective...trust me, it happens!
Solutions Please!!!
So what is the solution to this job security or the lack thereof? Well I'm not suggesting that upon hire you don't bring in your family picture or photo of your pet (although I never got why people did this anyway...) But what I am telling you is that your focus should always be cultivating ongoing development of your skills and abilities in preparation of wherever you go or whatever you do. This is an added bonus for yourself because the more value you add to yourself, the more earning potential you will have. It's just that simple. Make learning your focal point which will provide you with staying power your entire career; whether working for others or partaking in entrepreneurial ventures.
Okay so I am not an employment expert by far. However I have had several positions within the social service industry over a span of 20 plus years, many in a leadership capacity. My mantra has always been to not marry my job. I can gain skills, I can even be dedicated, committed and a team player while there, but at the end of the day, it's not about the place, it's about the skills and what will lead me to the next dimension of my own personal growth and success.
If you choose to climb a corporate ladder, best wishes. But while climbing, be sure to have a plan in your back pocket that will propel you to the place you truly wish to be. Bottom line: Know your worth, and strive for what matters. But what ever you do (particularly in the U.S.)....stop relying on job security because it does not exist.
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