Angst
Posted by Stropp on February 5, 2009There’s been a bit of it lately.
Everywhere on the Internet, folks are talking about how bad things are getting, how many layoffs are occurring, and how it’s affecting them. It’s not just game people who are being affected, I don’t just read MMOG blogs, I read Tech blogs, Finance Blogs, Blogging Blogs, and the other MMO blogs.
So there’s bound to be of the angsty stuff floating along the tubes.
Scott Jennings at Broken Toys has a post called Rituals Of The Betrayed. He’s just recently fallen victim to fallout from the whole Tabula Rasa debacle, even though he didn’t directly work on that project. And while that incident shows through in this post, Scott’s concerns are for the friends laid off, and the blood rituals of the companies who let them go.
I’ve not actually worked in the game development biz, even though at times I’ve wanted to, but a lot of what he describes here applies to any company. I can recognize the ritual even though I work in a different industry in a different country. I recognize the ritual because I’ve been on the receiving end of it, perhaps we should call it a blood sacrifice, more times than I care to remember.
Ultimately the final comment that Scott makes, Corporate loyalty is a LIE, is really what his post is about. And Jennings is completely correct.
It doesn’t matter how much effort you put in to your job. It doesn’t matter how good you are at your job. It doesn’t matter if you turn down other, higher paying, jobs simply to complete a project because everyone is depending on your part. It doesn’t matter, because when the beads on that abacus move away from you, you’re expendable.
The trick is to realize this, understand it, and keep your loyalty for those who deserve it. And that doesn’t include your employer.
Don’t get me wrong, I’m not encouraging acts of disloyalty, but always make sure you look out for your own career first. Your employer isn’t, no matter how many career development courses he sends you on. Do your job to the best of your ability, make sure you enjoy it, but also make sure it suits your own career.
That way when the worst happens, you’re prepared for it, and it becomes an opportunity rather than a trial.
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“I’m not encouraging acts of disloyalty, but always make sure you look out for your own career first. Your employer isn’t, no matter how many career development courses he sends you on. Do your job to the best of your ability, make sure you enjoy it, but also make sure it suits your own career.”
See, this is where the idealist in me thinks it shouldn’t be impossible to look after yourself AND your company (or your company AND your employees) at the same time. I firmly believe they aren’t mutually exclusive. Harder, yes. Which is why most companies don’t practice any form of loyalty, while demanding that their staff hand over their very souls.
Bah.
I think the main thing is to make sure you’re enjoying your job, but not to identify with it so much that being on the receiving end of a layoff crushes your spirit. A job is just a job after all, and there’s always another one out there — maybe even a better one.
I do think you can look after, or be loyal, to your employer, but make sure it’s measured. Perhaps what I should have said is that your employer doesn’t deserve your complete, unwavering, devoted loyalty. It’s sad that so many demand it.
“It doesn’t matter how much effort you put in to your job. It doesn’t matter how good you are at your job. It doesn’t matter if you turn down other, higher paying, jobs simply to complete a project because everyone is depending on your part. It doesn’t matter, because when the beads on that abacus move away from you, you’re expendable.
The trick is to realize this, understand it, and keep your loyalty for those who deserve it. And that doesn’t include your employer.”
All so true – it always amazes me when a manager discovers that you’re leaving a company of your own accord. It’s like, ‘…you are?! Why?’ Like it’s the only job worth doing…meh!
Good post Stropp!
I’ve heard a few interesting stories about managerial responses to employees moving on. It can get even worse at the high levels.
Stropp, totally agree with you on both counts. Loyalty should be reserved for family and friends, not employers. You can have passion for your work, but you always have to remember that you are working for a business and as such you are at the mercy of the company’s politics and financials. Despite that, both work and personal ethics should still guide your behavior.
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