If you believed the headlines this year, you might think workplace loyalty is a thing of the past. Earlier this year, a CNBC headline read, “Corporate loyalty does not pay off, HR experts say, as job-hopping gains currency among young people” and Business Insider proclaimed “The end of workplace loyalty.”
This all came after results from a May 2024 study by WorkProud found that less than a quarter of workers aged 42 and younger had a strong interest in staying with their companies long term. For workers 30 years or younger, that number plummeted to 18%.
The data show that Gen Z and millennials are likely to continually seek out better opportunities at different companies. But while I might be in the minority among my millennial peers, I believe that workplace loyalty is alive and well, and I’m an example of how loyalty and hard work can benefit your career.
My grandfather always emphasized the value of hard work and loyalty, and I took those values to heart at an early age. I started my career at AdCare Rhode Island in 2014 as a clinical intern. From there, I took on several different positions as the opportunities arose. Now, at 34 years old, I serve as the Executive Director, leading a large treatment team and overseeing all operations of the facility.
While some argue that job-hopping gets an individual ahead, staying loyal provides benefits you can’t get when you change companies every couple of years.
Loyalty Means Your Track Record Can Speak Louder Than Your Job Qualifications
When someone remains loyal to one company, work ethic and character can hold more clout than job qualifications when it comes to growth opportunities. I’ve received numerous opportunities to grow and learn in my time at AdCare. After some time serving as a clinical intern, I received an opportunity to try my hand at utilization review and discovered that I enjoyed it. I worked hard to master that role and eventually received another opportunity to move into the Director of Admissions position.
Eventually I had the opportunity to apply for the Chief Operating Officer position, but I didn’t meet all the qualifications. I was 100% honest during the interview. I told the CEO at the time that I didn’t have all the experience I needed for the role. For example, I didn’t know how to create a budget. I was given the chance anyway.
Why was I given the opportunity when I didn’t have all the skills I needed yet? According to our then-CEO, I was offered the promotion because I had consistently shown that, when given a task, I got it done. So he had faith in me that I would learn what I needed to learn to do the position and do it well.
Even the most impressive resume can’t beat the day-to-day experiences I have with my team. I see what they do, but I also recognize what they are capable of doing in the future. I never discourage individuals from applying for positions within the company because of a lack of experience or credentials. The same way that I was mentored and trained to get to where I am, I want our AdCare employees to see the possibilities here for them as well.
Loyalty Opens Up Unexpected New Career Paths
Growing with AdCare Rhode Island allowed me to take on different roles that changed the trajectory of my career path drastically, and for the better. When I began at AdCare as a clinical intern, I never thought I’d stray from the clinical path. In fact, I wanted to be a therapist for the rest of my life and had absolutely no interest in running any organization. However, there are so many different roads that I wouldn’t have considered had I stuck to the one I initially paved for myself. And I wouldn’t have gained the broader knowledge and understanding of the business side of addiction treatment that I got from taking on non-clinical roles.
By staying with AdCare, I was able to venture into new territory with the support, encouragement, and mentoring from leaders that I knew cared about my success.
Loyalty Builds Trust for Greater Influence and Collaboration
Trust often takes time to build within an organization. People have to see that your actions and worth ethic are consistent and that you can be counted on to get the job done.
Over my 10 years at AdCare, I’ve built a proven track record. It not only helped me to establish a good working relationship with my colleagues and earn their trust, it built increased influence with leadership as a trustworthy team player.
Relationships like these lead to a more collaborative and supportive work environment. For example, when I was named the Executive Director, the team already knew me, trusted me, and understood my expectations. So when we experienced any challenges, my team wasn’t jarred by them. Instead, they knew—and still know—that their success is my priority, and they trust where I will take them as a leader.
Loyalty Can Mean Greater Job Security
When you stay at a company long term and have served in multiple roles, you have an in-depth understanding of the company that is invaluable. You are an asset that is not easily replaceable because of your insider insights. Your understanding of company culture, policies, and processes can be a superpower.
In my time at AdCare, I’ve proven value in multiple roles and gained significant knowledge in both the clinical and operational side of the business. And I also clearly see the value that my employees bring to the table after years of learning and growing with the organization.
Loyalty Benefits the Company, Too
It’s not just the employee who benefits from loyalty. According to OC Tanner research, 79% of employees who decide to leave a company cite a lack of appreciation as their primary reason.
On the other hand, a LinkedIn study found that 94% of employees express a willingness to stay with a company that actively invests in their professional development. So by helping their people constantly grow, companies build a positive work culture where employees feel their contributions are integral to the success of the organization and effectively create more of an employee/employer partnership. Without a motivated and engaged workforce, businesses simply won’t make it in today’s challenging and competitive environment.
So, does loyalty pay off? I would argue that it absolutely does.
Sarah Horgan
Sarah Horgan is the Executive Director of AdCare Rhode Island, an American Addiction Centers facility.
