Poll: What's the longest you've stayed with a boss?

[Mrs. Wallnut]

I started working at a mini-mart when I was 14 almost 15 and worked there on and off for about 10 or more years...because even when we moved away I would come back and work for a week at a time or if they needed help would come back and work. I went through two bosses there. The first ones were there for about 4 years and then the last part of that for about 6 years, and they are still there also. But miss working with bosses like I had there. They were fun and easy going. Now I would go back and work there but they couldn't pay me enough for daycare. But I miss the farmers from around there and miss the different people I would meet and see.

[dwolsten]

I'm an engineer working at a huge high-tech company. I've been there for 6 years, but I've been through 5 direct managers in that time. I think the longest one may have lasted between 2 and 3 years. This is pretty normal in a big company like this, since they're constantly reorganizing.

[scmhogg]

I've been a practicing lawyer for 33 years. All criminal defense. While I am self employed; the law is not only a jealous mistress but she is a tough boss too. I don't go to bed at night before I have read the published cases that have come down since yesterday.

But, I still love trial work, and I have no intention of retiring any time soon.

Steve

[Marv]

I was with the same outfit for 38 1/2 years. They did get bought-out and changed names a couple of times. I had lots of bosses over the years. It was an enjoyable career up until the end 3 1/2 years ago. Hardly anybody left now out of the hundreds that were employed at one time.

[TB Roye]

I worked as a civilian employee(nonuniformed as they would say) for the California Highway Patrol for 38 years. The last couple of years were difficult because of some health problems and things of a political nature,within the department, which I/we were forced to deal with. One morning I went to work and we were called into a big meeting with some High ranking uniformed personell. The next morning I turned in my retirement papers. I retired about 6 months eariler than I had planned, but I just was not having any fun anymore, my job was not enjoyable and rather than become negative and angry I left. I am not bitter it just became time to go. For me that was the best decision I ever made. I am healthier and more relaxed than I have been in years, I still have health issues but now I am taking care of them. Over time things change and it was not the CHP I grew up with so it was time to leave. I used to go back and have lunch and visit friends but now I have not gone back for over a year and thats ok we all move on. Don't get wrong I still have the utmost respect for the CHP and the job they do and remember my thime there in a postive manner. Those 38 year gave me a real nice retirement.

Tom

[BobSch]

I was in kind of the same boat as Tom — 25 years with one of the baby bells, but the company had changed to the point that the job just wasn't worth it anymore. I'd put in enough time to get my pension and boogied. 8 ½ years with current employer, all with the same boss.

[MilDoc]

13 years on the pediatric faculty at UT Southwestern Medical School in Dallas. Now 5 1/2 years at Fort Hood. Probably won't be here more than 4 more.

[430752]

do that poll by age!

I bet you'll find the youngers have short jobs. I don't think its cuz we're less loyal, but cuz the game has changed. used to be you worked, learned a skill or trade, gave your youth in exchange for longevity, and stayed. That is, when you were young, you were under paid relevant to what you produced/performed, btu that was okay since you were young and "still learning", then in middle age you earned likely what you were worth, generally speaking, but in later age you you probably paid more than worth in terms of production/performance, but this was okay cuz you put in your time and were a veteran who could teach others, etc. and it balanced the beginning of you time with the company.

then that paradigm got all screwed up and we saw our parents laid off in their prime earning years or later, without much chance of restarting a meaningful career, the unwritten social contract of work had been torn up. So now we jet at the first sign of a trouble and we want to be paid now, not backended when we retire.

In this day and age, you have to change jobs to stay marketable, to adapt and learn, otherwise you're put to pasture at age 45. Hey, I didn't rewrite the rules, but since they did I'll use them against them

I'm at my longest job now, in January it'll be 5 years. I''m only 34. Last longest job I had was about 3 years. I've had 12 or 13 jobs. And, I'm thinking of leaving the firm I'm at in the new year. We'll see if I make 5!

curt j.

[ejs1097]

I've worked at the same company doing the same job for 10 years now but had to check 1-2 years.

Intresting poll but maybe you should ask what's the longest a boss has stayed with you?

My company goes through so many re-orgs in the management level it'll make your head spin. I've had 7 bosses in 10 years.

[ejs1097]

I bet you'll find the youngers have short jobs. I don't think its cuz we're less loyal, but cuz the game has changed. used to be you worked, learned a skill or trade, gave your youth in exchange for longevity, and stayed. That is, when you were young, you were under paid relevant to what you produced/performed, btu that was okay since you were young and "still learning", then in middle age you earned likely what you were worth, generally speaking, but in later age you you probably paid more than worth in terms of production/performance, but this was okay cuz you put in your time and were a veteran who could teach others, etc. and it balanced the beginning of you time with the company.

then that paradigm got all screwed up and we saw our parents laid off in their prime earning years or later, without much chance of restarting a meaningful career, the unwritten social contract of work had been torn up. So now we jet at the first sign of a trouble and we want to be paid now, not backended when we retire.

In this day and age, you have to change jobs to stay marketable, to adapt and learn, otherwise you're put to pasture at age 45. Hey, I didn't rewrite the rules, but since they did I'll use them against them

I'm at my longest job now, in January it'll be 5 years. I''m only 34. Last longest job I had was about 3 years. I've had 12 or 13 jobs. And, I'm thinking of leaving the firm I'm at in the new year. We'll see if I make 5!

curt j.

I find it hard to agree. I'm 32 and aside from summer jobs, I've had 2 since I've been 16. I work for a large computer firm and produce batch software paying out millions of dollars every night. They actually reward me for sticking around and not jetting when there are signs of trouble. A resume like a road map also raises red flags.

You would guess you'd find lots of folks of any age that don't stay in 1 place long and you'll find lots of others that will stay, and in the long run are paid more for staying then jumping from 1 small increase to another.

[vaking]

I've worked at the same company doing the same job for 10 years now but had to check 1-2 years.

Intresting poll but maybe you should ask what's the longest a boss has stayed with you?

My company goes through so many re-orgs in the management level it'll make your head spin. I've had 7 bosses in 10 years.

Ditto here. For me the magic number seems to be 9 years but that is with the same employeer. Bosses come and go. I have been with my previous employeer for 9 years, with the current one I am on the 9th year now and I know it is time to move. Just got myself a new boss, previous boss is being fired as we speak. May be I shall be next.

[atgcpaul]

Ditto here. For me the magic number seems to be 9 years but that is with the same employeer. Bosses come and go. I have been with my previous employeer for 9 years, with the current one I am on the 9th year now and I know it is time to move. Just got myself a new boss, previous boss is being fired as we speak. May be I shall be next.

Ditto. I'm only 30 but was with my old lab since I was 19. I think it really
depends on the person and the field. At my new job, I work with a lot of
ex-industry types (in this field you're either an academic or industry--I was
academic), and they do tend to have higher turnover.