Purpose: Because the European labor market is currently very tight, employees are in a strong power position, because they are difficult to replace. Perceived irreplaceability can potentially threaten employee loyalty and sportsmanship. However, there has been little to no prior research on the meaning of irreplaceability for employees. This study aims to investigate the employees’ awareness of their power position and the relationships between these beliefs and organizational loyalty, sportsmanship, and job crafting efforts. In addition, we explored whether organizational commitment and fear of unemployment can explain these relationships.
Method: We used an online survey with a convenience sample among Dutch employees to study the proposed relationships.
Findings: Employees are generally aware that they are hard to replace. However, contrary to our expectations, irreplaceability was related to more loyalty. This finding can be partly explained by job crafting: because of their increased -presumably successful- job crafting efforts, employees are likely to remain more loyal.
Originality: This study suggests that, rather than a threat to loyalty, perceived irreplaceability can motivate employees to seek opportunities for job crafting, which may increase their loyalty. Perceived irreplaceability may also trigger normative commitment, since leaving an organization in tough times is not considered the right thing to do.
Practical Implications: As such, to preserve employees in times of a tight labor market, it is not wise to deny your reliance on your employees, and their power position. By showing appreciation for employees’ unique qualities, and simultaneously providing autonomy, employers may successfully maintain their workforce.