Academics have argued that past experience influences how people perceive their present lives and shape their future actions. This is true for many aspects of life, including employment. According to researchers, an employee's previous job experiences impact their current workplace dynamics such as trust, hierarchy, and loyalty. Here are some insights into this phenomenon:
1. Trust: Employees who have worked for several companies can be more skeptical about their colleagues or superiors than those with less service history. These individuals may assume that everyone is out to get them or they cannot rely on anyone in their organization. They may view every decision made by management as a potential threat to their jobs, which could lead to mistrust and negativity. On the contrary, employees with limited service history tend to trust their colleagues and managers because they do not have bad experiences to compare against.
2. Hierarchy: Those with extensive service history may see themselves as superior to their juniors, even when they don't hold senior positions in their current company. They may also feel that the chain of command needs to be followed strictly without any exceptions due to their exposure to other organizations where the same was the norm. Conversely, those with little service history may be more open to creative solutions outside the box and better teamwork since they are new to hierarchies.
3. Loyalty: Employees with long-term service records might struggle to leave their jobs even if they are unhappy due to fears of losing benefits like healthcare coverage or pension plans. In contrast, those with shorter tenures may find it easier to switch jobs quickly because they don't have much to lose. This lack of attachment often makes them more productive at their present job since they aren't distracted by thoughts of what lies ahead.
An employee's past work experience impacts their perception of their current job dynamics such as trust, hierarchy, and loyalty. Therefore, companies should consider these factors when hiring and retaining staff members for improved performance and overall job satisfaction.
How does service history shape expectations of trust, hierarchy, and loyalty?
The experience of serving others has been shown to shape people's expectations for interpersonal relationships that involve power dynamics such as those between employer and employee or leader and followers. Specifically, individuals who have served in positions of authority within an organization tend to develop higher levels of trust in their superiors due to their familiarity with the workplace culture and belief that they can rely on them for support.