I have known several people in subordinate jobs who felt like they had a special relationship with their superior, because they provide such assistance that the boss could not get along without them.  This seems to be somewhat delusional.  I am sure there are very valuable employees, but from my experience they can always be replaced. I actually heard one say, "I know JoeShmoe better than his wife does.  Possible, but unlikely.   

You're right. I've seen quite a few indipensible employees dropped or fired. Ask the Air traffic controllers from the late 70's

 I think that in the 1950's/1960's people did not have to worry about their jobs as we do today. The Bosses back then depended on certain employees to do the extra things, beyond their job descriptions.  If you were an employee of the company for 20 years, showed up for work everyday and went out of your way to please the boss, YOU were a valuable employee. 

 Nowadays, there is no such thing as a valuable employee. The boss is out for himself and will take advantage of anyone who wants to help him get to the top.  Employees who consider themselves valuable are kidding themselves. Everybody can be replaced, there is no job security in the workplace. Education and technology has made it possible for a boss to replace you with someone younger (right out of college) with the skills needed to perform the job and better. Plus, when the management decides to let you go and hire a new employee, they pay out a lower starting wage and less benefits(no seniority).

Today, with unemployment on the rise, employees should value their jobs, but keep in mind that everyone is replaceable and there are 100 people waiting at the door.

rosebud07, sounds like you don't feel like you have much job security. And in todays work environment ( as you describe) it's no wonder. I'm not trying to be cute when I say this, but the only job security left is to work for yourself. It's very hard, with longer hours than you can imagine initially. If you keep at it, with a good game plan, product and/or service it can really pay off.

A really good read is Rich Man Poor Man. I think you could relate to what is said.  

 Surveybob, thanks for the info on the book. Actually, I have been doing my line of work for 28 years and love it.   My husband and I also own a seasonal service based business for 15 years and when you own your own business, you are the boss and you provide your own security. When we lived in the city, customers were a dime a dozen. About 10 years ago we moved to the rural country to get away from the crime. In the country, people do not have the money to pay for the service we provide, so we have to travel to bigger cities if we want to continue. The small business owner is struggling. Taxes (Commercial, Liability and Income), equipment maintenance and replacement, rising fuel costs and the economy make it hard for small business owners to continue. Sometimes there is no job security in owning your own business, either.

Trust me nothing in the work world has changed.  Just that people do!!!

Unemployment is on the Rise???

Rosebud, you're really fortunate to have a job you really love. There is nothing more important than that.

rosebud07:

 Surveybob, thanks for the info on the book. Actually, I have been doing my line of work for 28 years and love it.   My husband and I also own a seasonal service based business for 15 years and when you own your own business, you are the boss and you provide your own security. When we lived in the city, customers were a dime a dozen. About 10 years ago we moved to the rural country to get away from the crime. In the country, people do not have the money to pay for the service we provide, so we have to travel to bigger cities if we want to continue. The small business owner is struggling. Taxes (Commercial, Liability and Income), equipment maintenance and replacement, rising fuel costs and the economy make it hard for small business owners to continue. Sometimes there is no job security in owning your own business, either.

You are so right, sometimes it seems like everytime you start making progress the government passes a new regulation which means more fees, paperwork, taxes, etc. which puts the small business owner right back to the starting point again.

i'm a trucker and have mostly worked for small companies ,no more than 10 trucks.until '04 when i went to work for a huge firm.although you can be replaced your performance can keep you in that job but the smaller companies pay and/or benefits or work conditions are of lower standards.the huge firm's pay,benefits,working conditions and equipment were top of the line but their home time was extremely low.and management always was questioning why they had such a high turnover rate.i took several examples to them of the liberal home time from the past employers and the ideas seem to fall on deaf ears.i actually heard a terminal assistant manager joke one day that the abundance of employees was nearly inexhaustable and this made me realize that i was in the rat race and i was just a number

I think air traffic controllers from the late 70's needed to be fired

 Bull, there more corporate greed today then ever before

does the government tax businesses on e-bay

surveybob:

Rosebud, you're really fortunate to have a job you really love. There is nothing more important than that.

Surveybob - you are right!  It is hard to find a job you like, I have been looking for a long time and haven't found one yet!  I am happy at my present job, but I don't enjoy it.

Johnny B has some intuitative ideas!!!!!!!