OL211-M6-DQ

Read pp. 13–22 of the SHRM report on Retaining Talent (pp. 2–11 of the report).

Consider your current job or one you used to hold. To what extent did you experience the three types of connections that foster "embeddedness" as described in the report: links, fit, and sacrifice? How did your experience influence your longevity with the organization?

Include at least one citation and reference in your initial post and respond to at least two of your classmates' posts.

Refer to the Discussion Rubric for directions on completing these discussions.

PEER 1-TN

I worked with a great company that I started out as a temp that filled in as needed with clinics that were short employees. I enjoyed the office hopping because it gave me an inside view of different clinics and how they functioned. I was able to eventually cross train into a new building and work from the ground up in monitoring financial cost for equipment in a specific department. I became embedded into this company because the work was was fascinating and how we as a group re vamped the charging system for supplies used in procedures and surgeries. This work in processing the charges for supplies that were used during these operations is what linked me to this brand new hospital with the company, that eventually changed the way company charged all patients. Fitting in to the company was so much easier because I felt needed and wanted, I started going to the financial meetings for the new hospital then to the neighboring company hospitals. When I had to leave this company I sacrificed the great coworkers and friendships that were built when going through the ups and downs of operating a facility that just opened up.

resources

Wayback Machine (archive.org)

PEER 2- SP

The SHRM report “Retaining Talent: A Guide to Analyzing and Managing Employee Turnover, outlines clearly why turnover is so important to track and understand for any firm. Specifically, the Human Resources departments within those firms. Turnover matters for three key reasons: (1) it is costly; (2) it affects a business’s performance; (3) it may become increasingly difficult to manage (Allen D.G 2008). 

My current profession is in the United States Army, where I have served for the last 14 years, has been my life’s work as far as a career goes. So naturally, it will be the topic of discussion regarding my job and the three connections that form embeddedness with an employee and employer. Which are: (1) “Links,” (2) “Fit,” and (3) “Sacrifice. 

Firstly, are Links, which represent connections with other people, groups, or organizations. Examples include relationships with co-workers, workgroups, mentors, friends, relatives, church groups, and so forth (Allen D.G. 2008). For me, this is a very important reason why I have chosen to serve for as long as I have. The military community is great and full of wonderful people who would do anything for one another. I have PCS’s 6 times (so far) and each time my family moves to another duty station we almost always know others that are stationed in the area, and if not my gaining unit has usually been great at helping me connect with other military families. Making new friends with co-workers has never been an issue for me, my spouse, or my daughter. We enjoy meeting new people a great deal. 

I never saw myself joining the military and at times wonder if my personality is 100% compatible with the job that I do. If you were to ask my family and close friends who knew me before serving in the military, they would most likely tell you that they are surprised that I joined at all or that I’m still serving. This is because as a Combat Engineer in the United States Army it is a very aggressive and inherently dangerous MOS. The people who know me the best would say that just isn’t how I normally am, and it’s true, mostly. However, the opportunities the Army has given me to travel and experience new environments have been one of the greatest reasons why I still serve. I love to travel and explore new places as does my wife, so this profession in most ways has been the perfect fit for us. 

           Lastly, is Sacrifice, this one hits home and is the most important to me of the three connections. This is because without my job in the Army I wouldn’t be able to afford care for my daughter who has Turner’s Syndrome. Since she has been born (she is 10 now) we have had close to 1 Million dollars’ worth of medical bills which have piled up from surgeries, medications, and long-term specialty medical care. Because we have Tri-Care insurance supplied by the Army we have had to pay back only a very small fraction of that, which has been mostly medications and elective cosmetic surgeries. Honestly, this is one of the biggest reasons why I have continued to stay in my current profession. I enjoy serving my country and would gladly give my life if it means that I can continue to take care of my family in the ways that I do.

-Steven