The Importance of Job Security in the Workplace (With Tips)

Updated August 26, 2022

Published May 21, 2020

Jennifer Herrity is a seasoned career services professional with 12+ years of experience in career coaching, recruiting and leadership roles with the purpose of helping others to find their best-fit jobs. She helps people navigate the job search process through one-on-one career coaching, webinars, workshops, articles and career advice videos on Indeed's YouTube channel.

When professionals feel secure in their jobs, they can focus more effectively on their work and produce high-quality results. This means job security can benefit both managers and employees in a workplace. Learning more about this concept can help you identify the strategies that can optimize job security and maximize business performance.

In this article, we discuss what job security is, why it's important for companies as well as employees and tips for increasing job security in your own position.

What is job security?

Job security is the assurance an employee has that they can continue working their current job for the foreseeable future. It means you're confident that your employment status with a company can stay consistent, regardless of any external forces that might impact the business. Job security means feeling safe from factors like layoffs, sudden changes in business performance or economic factors.

Why is employee job security important?

Job security is important for both employees and companies. For employers, job security can help them:

Attract and retain talent

When people feel more secure in their jobs, they might be more likely to stay with a company. Companies can show their employees that they can manage change effectively, handling economic changes in a way that keeps employees safe. If employees then tell others about the job security they feel, others might apply to the company for a secure position.

Maintain a productive workforce

Increased job security can help employees be more productive in their roles. Less secure jobs can cause employees to feel more distracted or anxious, so this security might enable greater focus and determination. Feeling secure can also provide motivation as they want to grow in their roles or career with a company.

Encourage loyalty among employees

An employee who feels safe at work might be more loyal to their company. This means they trust the relationship and that they commit to performing well and staying with a company. Loyalty is important because it shows company leadership that their employees share their values and want to work toward achieving the same common goals.

Foster positive employee morale

Employees can feel more positive when they have a secure job. This means they might have more positive relationships with others at the company and customers throughout their work. Positive attitudes can also lead to higher productivity and teams motivating one another.

Tips for increasing job security

Here are tips you can use to increase your job security at your company:

Increase productivity

One way you can prove your value is by boosting your productivity. Consider tracking the progress you're making and create an ongoing list of achievable goals. For example, if you're in sales, you could put on your list that you aim to exceed your quota each month by 5% to 10%.

Be reliable

Consider being someone who your manager knows they can go to if they need something completed in a timely manner. If your manager makes a request, respond with a realistic timeline for when you can have that task completed. Make sure the work you provide is always exceptional and look for ways you can exceed expectations with daily requirements.

Minimize distractions

The best way to remain focused on your work is to limit things that can be distracting. Personal phone calls or time spent on the internet can distract from more important priorities while at work. When your focus is strictly on work-related tasks, productivity might remain high, aiding in the security of your position.

Volunteer to do more

You can become indispensable to your company by being the first to volunteer when your company needs tasks completed. While it's important not to over-promise and commit to something you're unqualified for, consider volunteering if it's a task you're capable of, even if it's something you've never done before.

It's also important to note that if you decide to volunteer for additional work, make sure you have the time to take on the extra responsibilities on top of your current ones. In order for your manager and teammates to truly appreciate your efforts, you need to turn in your best quality work.

If you really want to help with a project outside of your normal role and don't feel you have the extra time to commit, have a conversation with your manager about adjusting your workload to make time for it.

Keep learning

Another way you can stay relevant at work is by continuously evolving, learning and improving your skills. Industries and technology are always changing and by embracing change and quickly adapting, you're more valuable to your company.

You might look for an opportunity to become an expert at something. People turn to experts when they need to overcome challenges in the workplace. Look for an area where you could become an expert and then volunteer for projects where you can put your skills to use.

Mentor and support coworkers

You can show your manager that you're an asset to the organization by utilizing your leadership skills and mentoring other coworkers. Look for opportunities to answer questions that other team members have. If appropriate, contact them individually to offer your support and guidance. Make yourself the go-to person on your team when anyone needs help.

Build relationships

Ultimately, the stronger your relationships and the more connected you are to your team and your supervisor, the more management might view you as an integral part of the team. Interpersonal skills and networking abilities are essential for building strong connections in the workplace, even when you're remote.

Consider communicating with all members of your team on a regular basis and in a way that's clear and concise. Listen actively when you're speaking to someone, monitor your tone of voice and choose your words thoughtfully. Look for opportunities to contribute and add value whenever possible.