This book investigates the fundamental psychological dynamics that underpin the modern employment relationship between organizations and their employees. Peter Herriot, a recognized authority in organizational psychology, utilizes a framework centered on the psychological contract to explain how expectations, obligations, and perceptions shape workplace behavior. The text synthesizes research on organizational commitment, career development, and the shifting nature of work to provide a comprehensive model for understanding why individuals choose to remain with or leave an employer.

Experts in organizational behavior frequently cite this work as a foundational text for understanding the subjective nature of workplace commitments. Readers often note the academic density of the prose, which provides a rigorous examination of the psychological factors governing the employer-employee dynamic.