The Enthusiastic Employee: How Companies Profit by Giving Workers What They Want, Second Edition

5. The Impact of the Great Recession: Flight to Preservation

We have argued that three factors are characteristic of the goals of the great majority of workers: to be treated fairly (Equity), to have a sense of achievement (Achievement), and to have satisfying relationships with one’s co-workers (Camaraderie). But we have also argued that although this has been true of all populations we have studied and at all times, the importance of the subgoals of these major three categories can vary greatly, depending on social, economic, and personal circumstances. For example, advancement opportunity—part of the Achievement factor—obviously becomes less important for those close to retirement. And, we pointed out how the desire for a secure job rose markedly ...