That s one reason skills are at the center of the alliance s mission, she says. Give and Take Companies throughout the country are examining employees need for lifetime employability and continuous development of skills. After years of downsizing, rightsizing, reengineering and restructuring, employers and employees are coming to terms with each other in new and complex ways, leading to what some call the new employment pact. The expectation of lifetime employment at one company is mostly a thing of the past, and the evolving agreement which no one has clearly defined yet is based on the company s financial and market success. Typically, employers who want more productivity, innovation and commitment are finding they must do more than tell employees they will have a job as long as they help the company make money or until the business changes.
Wary employees are willing to give more, but in return they want career security.
Along the way, companies will also address increased job flexibility, telecommuting and family-care issues. Some employers are already testing the waters. Pfizer Inc. , an international health care company based in New York, has increased training, staff and budgets for key revenue- producing departments, and pays employees based on performance. UNUM Corp. , a Portland, Maine, firm that sells disability insurance, provides career counseling and training for employees, as well as stock options that are redeemable if the company meets its goals. A focus on continuous learning Companies are changing and people have to know what skills will be required, Galvanek says.