End of Job Loyalty?

Times have changed. Gone are the days where employers look out for the wellbeing of their employees and employees in turn stick with the company through thick and thin. Most people I know don't think twice about changing jobs (and companies) when they feel unhappy or dissatisfied (whether rightly or wrongly). I myself have gone through 4 companies over the 10+ years of my career, with the longest being 3.5 years in a market research company in Malaysia.

My dad thinks that the younger generation of workers is spoilt and has no sense of loyalty. I don't agree. I think we're simply more aware of our rights and less hung up on job security. To be fair, I think that our attitudes and behaviours are a mere reaction to the way we are treated by our companies. I have personally never been in an organisation that offers long-term benefits that make it worthwhile for me to stay rather than leave. Forget about car or housing loans (nice to have but not necessary), look at the miserable yearly increments (3-5 percent on average) that companies give to employees who stay. Then compare that with the (very) attractive potential increment (20-30 percent) from switching jobs. Honestly, who in their right mind would not be tempted to take the second option?

Don't get me wrong, I'm not advocating that we change jobs every year. I still believe that one should stay in a job (and company) for a fair amount of time (3 years?) in order to really learn the ropes and acquire new skills and knowledge. Thereafter I think it's only natural that one assesses the situation to decide whether to stay or leave. If I'm in a company that recognises and rewards my performance and loyalty, I would not think twice of staying. Otherwise, I'll leave. Now that's what I call conditional job loyalty.