Before start-ups began popping up and Millennials and Gen Zers found alternatives to working nine-to-five, employee seniority used to be a big deal. It is no secret that most young employees and companies don’t regard employee seniority as a preferred trait and instead believe in performance over everything else. However, businesses that have been around for decades believe the opposite. Some considerably young companies also lean toward seniority to counteract the job-hopping culture.
So, the question remains:
Does Employee Seniority Matter?
The common answer is: “it depends on the industry and position.”
But this answer is unsatisfactory as it does not provide a solution. Unless someone creates a list of industries and positions where experience matters more than performance, it doesn’t do much for anyone.
As a professional, you may be biased about answering this question, too, depending on your age and experience or lack thereof. Therefore, you must check in with your workplace to find a satisfactory answer.
Seniority vs. Performance
Most workplaces have policies regarding promotions and increments based on seniority vs. performance. As a professional, finding if the workplace you join prefers seniority or performance can help you decide on a career path and life plan.
For example, you may have to be more patient about climbing the professional ladder if the workplace you join prefers seniority. You will need to maintain a composed, consistent, and punctual demeanor for a few years before seeing the results of your everyday effort.
If you don’t seek too much change or thrill in life, working for a company that chooses seniority over performance can help you live a well-intended life. You can enjoy the stability of your everyday routine without going above and beyond every day. Choose a field that you truly enjoy so you don’t get bored of the monotonous routine in the long run.
On the other hand, if you cannot wait to live life at your full potential, you will be better suited to a place that prefers performance. In such a workplace, you can give it your all and expect instant acknowledgment and rewards for your effort.
If you have too many passions and want to pursue different things at different stages of your life, you should work for places that reward performance more than seniority. Such places will allow you to prove your potential and get rewarded for it before you move on to your next adventure.
If you’re unsure, don’t be. You don’t have to work in the same position for years or get burnt out within six months of joining a workplace. Here’s why:
Conclusion
While seniority and performance may not matter equally at most workplaces, they are equally important as desirable employee traits. Seniority depicts stability and consistency, while performance showcases a passion for work. Businesses perform their best when they have a mix of employees with either trait. These workplaces don’t measure seniority vs. performance, but rather seniority and performance when promoting their employees. Such workplaces are more likely to have a positive workplace culture as they respect every skill and positive trait that their employees bring.
