Multiple Loyalties and Commitments at Work

Studies within a Changing Public Sector

The authors examine the uniqueness of the public sector in relation to workplace loyalty and commitment, in light of recent phenomena of change in the workplace, including attitudes to work, type of employment and use of technology.

Recent years have seen varying workplace trends, changes in approaches to work, from both employers and employees, changes in the nature of work and types of employment; and a particular phenomenon that has altered is workplace loyalty and commitment.

This topic is examined by offering insights on the macro (context), meso (organizational) levels and micro level (individuals) factors that drive public employees to engage differently within the public sector. There are unique factors of the public sector that are examined here in detail related to workplace loyalty and commitment. The chapters provide a closer look to the different macro-areas/dimensions, contexts, or institutional factors affecting employee loyalties in the public sector. Specifically, the following lenses will be used: institutional; public policy domain; public professions; and organization type.

The authors conclude with a reflection on the future of employee loyalty at work. This in a context of technological evolutions (AI), gig work, and agile organizational structures. It offers key implications for theory, practice, and policy-making accounting for public employees' multiple loyalties.