Our working life is increasingly going to resemble a relationship, or a marriage, with the odd separation thrown in for good measure; and this is going to happen, whether we like it or not. The world is changing, and our working lives will change in step with it. A few years ago, the management consulting firm, McKinsey, said that in 1990 a person would work on average for two companies throughout his/her working life, but that by 2010 the figure would rise to ten. This estimate now seems excessive in the light of the current economic crisis which has put a brake on people changing jobs (which makes the life of many human resources departments easier, and has conversely made life more difficult for the many people seeking new pastures). That being said, the pace of change is such that no manager can feel confident that he will hold down the same job all his working life. This has profound consequences both for companies and for employees. Continue reading →