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The traditional belief that loyalty to a single company over decades would eventually lead to a secure and prosperous future is increasingly being questioned by today's younger workforce—and for good reason.
Jerome Zapata, Human Resources Director at Kickstart Ventures, highlighted this shift in perspective during an interview with CNBC Make It. “In previous generations, staying loyal to an organisation meant they would take care of you for life. But now, retirement benefits are often not enough to live on,” Zapata explained.
Zapata acknowledged that employees who frequently switch jobs tend to receive better pay, as “merit increases can only go so far.” However, the practice of job hopping still carries a stigma. Companies may view candidates who switch jobs too often as a flight risk, making them hesitant to invest in such employees.
“Employees need to carefully consider the pros and cons of job hopping,” said Sumita Tandon, Director for HR, APAC at LinkedIn. “While it can be lucrative, especially for those looking to explore new career paths or secure a pay raise, doing it too frequently can make companies cautious about hiring them.”
Better work-life balance and higher salaries are common reasons for job hopping. Vera Lau, a 27-year-old professional who has worked at three different companies in the last three years, shared her perspective: “I don’t think loyalty pays off anymore. It’s all very transactional. You’re only valuable as long as they see you as valuable. If you’re not learning and earning, it’s time to move on.”
Lau contrasted today’s work environment with that of the 80s and 90s, when people were often just grateful to have a job and a steady paycheck. “Our perspective on work has changed. Our lives are no longer built around our jobs, and often, paychecks aren’t even enough to cover basic expenses like paying bills or buying a house,” she said.
