Turbulence In the Work Environment
In slightly more than a decade (1988-2000), the eminent issue for companies was one of
attracting and retaining people with the skills necessary to do the work. The situation
became even more complex during 2001 as an economic downturn forced thousands
companies to cut back or downsize their employee populations. In the past year alone,
more than a million US jobs have been eradicated leaving a scenario of lost trust,
eroded loyalties, financial demise, growing employee cynicism and diminished
productivity. Employee stress levels have escalated as morale and creativity plummet,
while simultaneously, the cost of absenteeism and medical related expenditures have
risen. Further, companies are now indicating that product quality is beginning to suffer;
customer satisfaction is dropping and many organizations are beginning to experience a
significant increase in turnover of key talent--especially amongst those individuals
considered most ‘crucial’ to the downsized organization (Ambrose, 1996; Caplan and
Teese,1997; Reichheld, 2001; Deal and Kennedy, 1999).