How do you manage to stay at a company (non-govt) for years and years?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I work for the World Bank. We have the "golden handcuff" issue. It often feels too good here to even think about going elsewhere. It is comfortable and for the most part profitable. While many folks could make more in the private sector the benefits and flexibility we have here would be tough to give up. (FYI I am in the new plan and it still pretty cushy here, even though I would LOVE LOVE to be in the old plan!)

I just celebrated by 15 year staffaversary a few months back.

My husband works at the IMF it is definitely a golden handcuff situation!

Tell us about cushy!

[Anonymous]

I work in healthcare - at a large hospital system. I've been here 15y and we haven't had any large scale layoffs - at least not in management.

[Anonymous]

Ennui.

[Anonymous]

The idea of 'golden handcuffs' kinda turns me on - in a financial sort of way, of course.
(says the middle aged guy whose career has tumbled into a ditch and has his kids on Medicaid, since his current employer does offer health insurance).

[Anonymous]

Luck, hard work, being good at my job, being flexible (I've moved into lots of new roles depending on the needs of the company - they now know that I can easily fill several different jobs if the need arises, which I see as added security). >10 yrs at a small private company.

On my side - the ability to move into all those new roles has kept things interesting for me, and given me good opportunities for career growth. Upward mobility is a good thing.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:luck. DH has had about 4 companies either close up shop or relocate (to areas we weren't willing to move to)...tech companies, so maybe a bit more volatile than other industries.
His dad worked for the same company for 50 years....I don't think that really happens anymore unless it's a family business.

Yup. When I join a company, it is guaranteed they will either have a massive revenue cut, reorganization, or the person who hired me gets fired.

[Anonymous]

I hit the 20-year-mark this year in a very volatile industry. I've been bought four times and survived three rounds of layoffs. Part of it is being very good at a very, very specific job. I'm also very flexible and don't get hung up on titles/who has a corner office, etc. I'm known for having a "can-do" and "roll with it" attitude. I've also had the same boss the entire time, who I really like and respect, which helps.

I have no plans to leave.

[Anonymous]

This is PP ^^^ again. I should add that I'm not at the top of the industry pay range. If anything, I'm on the lower end (I traded raises for the ability to work at home for a few years). This, I'm sure, helped me survive layoffs, particularly through the recession.

[Anonymous]

I've been with a large global government defense company going on 17 years. Have great pension, pay, flexibility (part-time) and have no manager in the area. I have no plans on quitting unless it's retirement

[Anonymous]

I am 19 years with a large Gov't contractor. The main thing is to remain innovative and flexible. And to always keep the eyes open for opportunities. If I am the PI on the proposal, I am secure. If I have customers asking for me by name, I am secure.

You also ned to understand the project lifecycle. Programs begin slowly, build up. They end quickly, and often chaotically. Typically, the Government gives hints, but the management thinks they will weather it....then Bam...friday afternoon, notice that the next contract will be 1/10th of the value, and starts monday.

[Anonymous]

Hard work and talent. I have a hard time understanding how people lose their jobs unless the company is going under. The only people I know who have been laid off or fired are either lazy, have an attitude problem, not very good at what they do, or have set themselves up for it in some way.

[Anonymous]

solid work product and having people like you should do it.

i am a lawyer at a big firm, and there is a lateral from the govt in our office who started about a year ago. he "stands up for himself" by telling partners they can't make him do things like write off his time in certain circumstances. he will even show them some firm rule/regulation to support his argument. he is going to be pushed out within a year or two because of this. so don't stand on principle over dumb shit. understand that you are a cog in a machine, not a special snowflake.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I work for the World Bank. We have the "golden handcuff" issue. It often feels too good here to even think about going elsewhere. It is comfortable and for the most part profitable. While many folks could make more in the private sector the benefits and flexibility we have here would be tough to give up. (FYI I am in the new plan and it still pretty cushy here, even though I would LOVE LOVE to be in the old plan!)

I just celebrated by 15 year staffaversary a few months back.

DH works for a different entity and is also dealing with the golden handcuff issue. The other issue is, because it is a for profit company, he is afraid of being let go because of his age and because he is grandfathered in the pension. The pension increases substantially up the last five years. SO we are olny counting on the current value when we plan.