Just 4 per cent cite job tenure
More workers believe “who you know” is more important than job performance in order to get ahead in their organization, according to a survey by Right Management.
More than four in 10 (44 per cent) of employees think “who you know” is what determines advancement, while just 39 per cent think it is job performance. Only four per cent think it is job tenure, found the survey of 500 Canadian and American employees.
“Workplace cynicism sure runs deep when merely one in three thinks it is merit that opens up opportunities or influences advancement,” said Monica Morrow, senior vice-president of career management at Right Management. “It’s unfortunate so many workers think politics drives promotion. And it’s certainly wrong too, since organizations are doing more to identify promising talent and shape their development.”
Thirteen per cent of survey respondents said they have no idea how advancement is determined since their employer never provides clear criteria — which should be a major concern for top management, said Morrow.
“If we add together the politics people and the puzzled group we get 60 per cent who aren’t plugged in to what ought to be open and fair development options,” she said. “No wonder employers so often find their people so unsatisfied or disengaged from their work.”
