I’ve been thinking about the benefits of being indispensable. Being truly indispensable.
When looking at companies, analysing where costs can be saved you quickly identify the linchpins and bottlenecks. Linchpins are those that the company needs to function, and were they to leave, the company may struggle or even fail. Bottlenecks are those that slow processes and functions down. They need improvement or more help in order to unblock the flow.
Being a linchpin has its pluses and minuses. You get to feel how every employee should feel: needed, appreciated, respected. Time off is permitted (as long as you come back) and your requests are quickly addressed. Mistakes are not overly chastised and even HR likes you. The company needs you and makes you feel needed.
The downside is that they call you when you are sick, when you are on holiday, when you are not on the clock. Usually because no one else can do what needs doing, or answer what needs answering.
If you were to think of leaving you have to give a long notice period and your contract contains clauses into the future preventing you from working where you want, with whomever you want. Among other restrictions.
The benefits of being indispensable.