Organizations view workers as temporary, and paternalism no longer exists. Consequently, workers do not develop company loyalty and do not expect to spend their working lives with the same company. There is increasing mobility, Rothman said. In companies like IBM, it used to be if you did your job, you had a job. That no longer is so.
Companies hire temporary workers and contract workers.
This occurs in professions, as well. Lawyers could once anticipate staying with one firm and rising from associate to partner, but fewer are making partner. Other factors play a role as manufacturing is farmed out to countries where wages are lower. The current climate in industry has a negative impact on employees, Rothman said. Employees are not as motivated to do a good job.