Christmas is a time for introspection, thanksgiving and making resolutions for the New Year. But this year many will be feeling like the Grinch because their employment situation is not good. Thousands are out of work and many who are employed earn less now and feel insecure about the future. But are there reasons for optimism? Sure there are.The main reason to be hopeful for Bermuda in 2012 is that we are beginning to see rejuvenation in work ethic. That’s heartening because without improved work ethic there will be no economic recovery.Remember, it was just a few years ago that employers regularly grumbled about the complacency and poor work habits of the average employee in Bermuda. Many reported that we had slumped to an all-time low. But recessions are a blessing in disguise in that they remind everyone of the age-old formula for achievement: need drives hard work, and hard work drives economic success.For many the need to find work is now dire. Consequently we are finding that applicants are becoming more conscientious in their job search than ever before. We are experiencing fewer sloppy mistakes in employment applications, better interview performance and a lot more willingness to be flexible with pay expectations and working unsociable hours. We are even seeing degree holding Bermudians now taking jobs that do not require such education. Put simply, complacency is on the decline and many job seekers are grateful for half a loaf.Similarly, among those who have jobs, many employers are experiencing improved work ethic and a decline in entitlement mentality. Without serious complaint, many employees have accepted reduced hours and work weeks. Others are now willing to work longer hours than ever before yet earn less than they did previously. Why? Because they need to. It’s that simple.Need is a powerful motivator. But the paradox is that the hard work which results from need is followed by economic success which, in turn, undermines need. So it should be no surprise that poor work ethic was a byproduct of Bermuda’s great economic success of the last 50 years. As shameful as it is, many lived by the credo: why work hard if you don’t have to?Unfortunately in the public sector Bermuda’s largest employer the need to work hard is diminished because the Government continues to guarantee job security. If only that guarantee was altered to be a pledge to do everything possible to save jobs, we would see an unprecedented boost in public sector productivity.Such a change would create the need for every public servant to work hard to preserve their own job and those of their colleagues. The result would be less industrial action, speedier collective bargaining, and mutual agreement to save jobs by reducing pay and benefits.While many will be disheartened that the public service has been slow to change, there are reasons for optimism. Mounting Government debt and tough economic times are now forcing our Government to face harsh realities.The Speech from the Throne last month was a heavy dose of conservatism; a marked departure from the agenda of yesteryear. Decision making is becoming easier as government is afforded less time for delay. Previously unheeded proposals are now receiving attention. The cost of the status quo is fast rising and the cost of inaction is becoming unbearable. As a result many people are changing now. People need to, and those people include our government leaders and those that vote for them.As optimistic as one should be that the recession has inspired many of us to work harder, there remain a significant number of people that resist change. But just as Scrooge was moved to change once he saw the realities of the past, present and future, we should remain optimistic that even the most hardened and rigid among us will eventually be moved. The recession is a reliable manufacturer of need, the fuel of hard work. So change is inevitable and success is bound to follow.Happy holidays from the 38 positive and grateful professionals of Expertise!Doug is a Partner in Expertise, Bermuda’s largest management consulting and outsourcing company. He may be reached at doug[AT]expertise.bm or via www.expertise.bm