This is a generalization, which I know is a slippery slope for a topic such as this. But in more cases than not this is an overall feeling I get from conversations I have on a regular basis over a period and not just in a moment in time.
I remember beginning my career in recruitment with hard metrics and tough expectations in a competitive IT Y2k landscape. Work hard. Dial and smile. Play hard. Everyone in their 20’s busted their butt, working long hours and trying to make everything work. That is the age to just put the work and focus into your career.
As time has passed and new generations have hit the workforce, the idea of a work ethic versus work-life balance has really come into focus. The feeling I get is that there is a 40-hour week vibe, where it is come in and do your work and leave.
Now, I am well aware we are still dealing with:
- a global pandemic
- mental health
- video collaboration and meetings
These unavoidable themes have impacted, shaped and continue to evolve in our workforce. Strong opinions on both sides with regards on how to approach each of these and there is hardly ever a consensus as to the right way to approach it. There is NO one size fits all answer.
The word “entitlement” is overused yet it is continued to be used as an adjective for newer generations. The continuing banter from the older generations towards newer, and how the newer workforce has an expectation as to how their work-life schedule will look.
What works for one generation is not an automatic for the next generation. But the ongoing bashing between generational workers is entertaining to say the least.
What is being largely missed is how to approach and incorporate policy that is beneficial to all. How should a company approach work-life balance? Sound off on what is missed, what is needed, or how we need to move forward.