Reference no: EM132202013

Discussion - Where do we go from here?

A recent Harris Interactive poll reported that one-third (33%) of US workers say they will look for new jobs once the economy gets better. 48% of those who plan to job hunt are mainly motivated by a loss of trust in their employers.

Gone are the days of joining a company and staying with them for 25 to 30 years. Our parents' (and grandparents') experience with companies has been replaced by a different type of employee-employer relationship. Globalization and outsourcing are some of the reasons why organizations can easily terminate employees (i.e. layoffs) and find suitable replacements. Cheap labor and manufacturing is easily pursued in a global economy and all too often it means that the source of labor is located outside of the US. As a result, US workers remain stagnant.

This has several impacts, as you can imagine. Employees, by their own admission, no longer trust employers. Many employees look for better opportunities to "jump ship" - perhaps before they are "pushed overboard". This results in mistrust, a volatile culture, reduction in shared experiences, lack of progressive learning in organizations, and a short-term outlook, among other outcomes.

If one were to plot the trend, it doesn't seem like this phenomenon is going to reverse and "get better". What are your thoughts about globalization and outsourcing?

Discuss impacts of this trend on companies, employees, citizens, culture, and ethics. As consumers, we enjoy low prices and technological advances, but what about the overall cost? (Is the cost even relevant, or does it balance out in other ways)? As you provide your thoughts/analysis, please also consider the question: Where do we go from here?