Referring to his work as more than 18 years trying to figure out what creates an "engaging" workplace, organisational psychologist Dr. John Izzo spoke of six shifts in contemporary work ethic and how they affect businesses.

Dr. Izzo, guest speaker at the Employee Assistance Programme's (EAP) annual general meeting, said that over the past ten to 15 years it has become accepted that not only are people a company's best asset, but "good talent" may determine whether or not a venture ultimately succeeds.

Dr. Izzo said it will - based on demographics which show that more people are opting for early retirement and with humans living longer - become more and more difficult to attract talent. And that companies are, and will be, competing over a more limited pool of talent.

Dr. Izzo, who lives in Vancouver but works with companies all over North America and the UK, said there are six ways that our values around work are changing.

The first shift, identified by Dr. Izzo, is balance between work and personal life. Dr. Izzo said that studies indicate that more than ever, flexi-time and job-sharing have been identified as important to workers, and one way that companies can retain "talent."

He spoke of how some companies have had success with moving from a focus on face time to results, resulting in increased employee satisfaction and productivity.

Dr. Izzo said that in contrast to years past, 66 percent of recent college graduates say they will not sacrifice their personal life in the interest of their career.

Next in line, Dr. Izzo said employees expect to be treated like partners; workers want to know their opinion counts in the workforce.

But, Dr. Izzo pointed out that companies appear to have a long way to go in delivering on that employee desire. He said that only one in three companies said they have "participatory management" styles.

The third shift comes with employees moving away from the view that work is merely a way to make a living. Dr. Izzo said there is now the expectation that work should be a place for growth and development. "Employees now say their job is more a form of self-identity than making a living," he said.

In tandem with this shift is the fourth area where workers want meaning from their job and expect to "serve a noble cause."

"People want to feel they are making a difference," Dr. Izzo said, citing this as a key reason for a person to stay in a job.

And contrary to the long-held assumption that work is not a social ground, Dr. Izzo said that more and more people are forming friendships at work. At the very least, he said, there is now the expectation of community; or respect and even interest in a worker's life outside of the job.

The last shift identified by Dr. Izzo was the "expectation of trust." He said companies are now expected to be above-board and trustworthy.

Dr. Izzo is the author of "Values Shift: The New Work Ethic and What It Means for Business."