> What does it mean to be "loyal to" a company or employee, though?
I think there are different flavors of this but they generally fall into one of two categories:
1. Short-term vs. Long-term
* Employee: I'm not getting a raise this year but I trust that they'll make it up to me. This project sucks but they'll put me on a better one next time.
* Employer: We don't need to keep this person on the payroll right now but we will in the future.
2. Past Behavior Predicts Future Behavior
* Employee: The company cut me some slack when I was going through X, or kept me on even when the economy tanked, so I'll forgo a slightly higher salary at a place that might not happen, in case that situation happens again.
* Employer: This person stuck it out when times were tough and didn't quit when we cut hours last quarter, so we're going to keep them around.
I'm not saying these are always this clean, or always the right decision, but I think they answer the "what does it mean" question in terms most people could identify with. You're probably going also going to see this more in companies that have a higher learning curve or where there is more personal attachment involved (e.g. small town/community where you're going to see them every day). If you're a Shiny Widgetmaker at the only company that makes Shiny Widgets, loyalty is probably worth it. If you work for a megacorp and were hired and fired by spreadsheet formulas, loyalty probably makes less rational sense for either side.
I agree. And it does not even have to be personal.
For example I know companies that have done a lot to help an employee with a critically ill spouse. I would feel some loyalty even if the company helped a colleague.
And there are some jobs where employees risk getting unpopular with customers, colleagues, the public, etc. They should take note of whether the company tend to support its employees or throw them under the bus, even if they did nothing wrong.
I think there are different flavors of this but they generally fall into one of two categories:
1. Short-term vs. Long-term
2. Past Behavior Predicts Future Behavior I'm not saying these are always this clean, or always the right decision, but I think they answer the "what does it mean" question in terms most people could identify with. You're probably going also going to see this more in companies that have a higher learning curve or where there is more personal attachment involved (e.g. small town/community where you're going to see them every day). If you're a Shiny Widgetmaker at the only company that makes Shiny Widgets, loyalty is probably worth it. If you work for a megacorp and were hired and fired by spreadsheet formulas, loyalty probably makes less rational sense for either side.