Is it unhealthy to stay with the same company for a long time?

Planet_Switzerland

My first job was a part time job at a supermarket just after I turned 16. I stayed there until I started uni whilst some college mates would seemingly change jobs every week. My view was whatever job I'd get as a student would be rubbish, so I may as well stick with the job I've got.


I also reluctantly went back during uni breaks as I needed money and it was guaranteed work. However I decided the summer before my final year enough is enough and I temped in three different jobs, was definitively the right decision.


After uni I temped in many different jobs, did a permanent one for less than a year, got my first career job but not even 6 months later I was applying for other jobs.


When attending interviews prior to getting my current job one recruitment agency told me the number of job changes I've had doesn't look good. However, I've now been in my current job for 8 years, so I've gone from one extreme to the other.


Ironically I work for a company with a high staff turnover, for some people it's the only way to get a decent pay rise, some people think staying in the same place shows lack of ambition.

Two former colleagues once said the Deputy MD of their department lacked ambition because he'd worked there since he graduated from uni 20 years prior to that. My view is that since he'd worked his way up to a very senior position which no doubt pays well, did he really need to move companies.


My time at my company has had it's ups and downs. I started looking for new roles after two years, but it felt like I was looking to move just for the sake of it. Over time I've had pay rises that have kept me there, lack of pay rises and a boss I didn't like that have made me look elsewhere, a new boss, change of team and pay rise that made me want to stay again.


To be honest I've never found my job particularly interesting, it's just something that I'm good at and bearable. What I look for in a job first and foremost is money, then culture i.e. big company, Central London, socialising with colleagues etc.


As my company does the culture part really well, I've often said as long as they pay me at least as much money as I could possibly make elsewhere I see no reason to leave. I am however starting to question whether I have been there too long.

About-time

I don't think staying with the same company for a long time is a bad thing, but I do think staying in the same job probably is.


My experience is similar to yours I think - moved around a lot immediately after uni, left each job as soon as I got bored/fed up basically, to the point where a recruitment consultant once said to me 'You've got a thing about February and October haven't you?', as I'd left/started jobs in those months 2-3 years running. Now I've been in the same job ten years, so I've gone completely the other way!

NineDeuce

It depends. It would get unhealthy staying at McDonalds if you got offered free Big Macs for lunch every day. On the other hand, eating at Subway every day might not be so bad....

ssparks2003

If your goal is to just receive a pay check each month and that is as far as your view goes stay where you are. If you want to find a job with more money, responsibility, excitement it would be good to move on.

I was once told that you should look to change companies every 5-7 years; as you risk becoming stale and only have one view of how to do things. Personally since I received the advice I have followed it and have done very well from it having had experiences that I could never have dreamed of if I had sat still.

steampowered

It entirely depends on the circumstances.

Staying with a company for a long time is absolutely fine if you are happy there.

However moving company can also have benefits in terms of broadening your experience and achieving better.

The statistics do demonstrate that people who move jobs are likely to be well paid or to achieve senior positions. It depends what you are looking for from work really.

TBagpuss

there is nothing inherently wrong or unhealthy in staying for a long time. Historically it wasn't at all uncommon, and still is more common for people who work in the public sector than the private, for instance.

I think it depends on why you are staying and whether you are happy there.

If your main reason for staying is that you are scared of change so are sticking with what you know, even if it is not satisfying or giving you the chance to progress, then it isn't ideal.
On the other hand, if you stay because the job remains interesting / personally rewarding, the work / life balance is good and you are get on with your colleagues and are contended, then staying put may well be both sensible and healthy!

I think it is often common to move around more in the early stages of your career, as you find your feet, work out which parts of broader role you are good at etc, and because it can be easier to advance.

As you get more established, it may be less necessary to move and also (if you settle down and start to have to consider things like a spouse/ partner / children / owning a property moving can be a bigger deal, so you need a stronger reason to do it.

You may also find as you get more experienced / are doing more senior roles that you have more scope to change the job you are in, rather than having to change the company you are working for, which can be important in terms of job satisfaction, work / life balance etc.

mickeymouse303

It's not necessarily a good or a bad thing, what matters is whether it's satisfying and rewarding for you.

Diamandis

If you decide to leave in a couple of years time then having ten years service in one company won't be a bad thing for the new employer. If you're happy within the company and don't really want to leave then don't think you have to because you've been there a while. If you're not finding your job interesting then look at other positions or even ask your current employer if you could get more involved in other areas of the business.

xapprenticex

NineDeuce wrote: »

It depends. It would get unhealthy staying at McDonalds if you got offered free Big Macs for lunch every day. On the other hand, eating at Subway every day might not be so bad....

Sorry but subway is just as bad.

theroamingnomad

I think it's important to be happy in the work you do and realise when it is time for a change - when that times comes it is important to act and make something happen

HardSpend

I regret staying at the same company for 10 years. Got too comfortable and was loyal. You have to move on to challenge yourself and get more experience. Imagine doing the same tasks each month for 10 years, how much experience do you really have.