Applying for Your Own Job: A Preliminary Study

Abstract

This study undertook a small preliminary investigation of the contemporary employment practice of ‘applying for your own job’. There has not yet been a specific study into the effect upon individuals and organisations of the practice of existing employees being required to apply for the same or a similar position in a competitive application context, while continuing to work in the organisation. This project addressed this and examined the self-reported personal effects of this process (social, emotional, psychological and physical) through qualitative interviews with 16 individuals who have experienced it. It found significant negative self-reported effects, including stress, clinical depression, ill health, time off work and detrimental working conditions. It was also found that there are longer term impacts upon the organisational environment and employee attitudes whether the employee is successful or not.