Everyone seems to have there own opinion on what they feel work-life balance really means. Many believe that work should not interfere with ones personal life and vice versa. Based on my experience, these are the same individuals who you can generally set your watch by. Clock in at nine, clock out at five, eat lunch in between, by themselves, at their desk. There is certainly nothing wrong with this mentality which seems to be more associated with older generations. They have been conditioned by both society to be home in time for dinner regardless of issues at work and by employers to formulate routines and be accessible to bosses during normal working hours. Then comes along Gen Y with their mobile devices and demands for flexibility.
My opinion is that those members of the Millennial Generation are not interesting in the same work-life balance that their older coworkers are interested in. Those more seasoned generations are interested in a more harsh separation between work life and personal life. They prefer to leave work at work and check their personal lives at the company’s front door. I see younger workers less interested in a harsh separation and actually prefer to integrate personal and work into one entity, I guess we could just call that ‘life’. I want to be able to work from wherever, whenever. The thought is that work is something that you do, not a place that you go. I want to take personal phone calls while I’m at work, access my personal email, and better yet, access to members of my personal life.
I’m sure much of this cultural change can be associated with the rise of the Internet during our generation. We are the most networked generation thanks in large part to the MySpaces and Facebooks of the world; we are constantly connected and have access to information about everyone and everything. We have grown up with mobile devices and Web applications that have untethered us from a physical location and have granted us the flexibility to do what we want when we want. Now we are demanding the same of our workplace. I see work-life balance as a thing of the past and the future lies in work-life integration.
May 5, 2007 at 5:16 pm |
Great topic. I’ve always been someone who has no real separation between work and my personal life. Over the last few years I’ve noticed some interesting developments for me though. First of all, with my position at Richmond.com, I’m more involved with the company at every level. In many ways I feel like an owner of a startup and my passion for the job and our goals reflects that. Before, without a management responsibility, my interest was more at the technical level but still crossing personal and professional boundaries. More recently as we’ve learned of the new addition my focus is starting to shift. I know in November I’ll be a proud father and my entire world will change. I can’t tell you the impact that thought has on a person. What’s interesting about this is a point you made above. I’ll still have my devotion to work but with more mobile requirements. I’ll need to be at home for awhile after the baby is born, so being able to work remotely is a must. I’ll have football games, and story time, and all sorts of other things that truly come first; but I’ll still have a devotion to my work. After all, work is the time we spend away from our families and friends, it should be important. I’ll need to stay connected and have the ability to manage my team and make those decisions that further the business all while tending to the people who make my life what it is.
May 8, 2007 at 2:04 pm |
“I want to take personal phone calls while I’m at work, access my personal email, and better yet, access to members of my personal life.”
I agree. Now I have an answer for anyone who may ask why I’m reading personal email or making phone calls. “Why? Because I’m a Millenial, and I am promoting a work-life integration.”
May 8, 2007 at 2:26 pm |
I founded The Life’s Work Group, Inc. to provide a roadmap for executive men in personal and professional transition. I coach Baby Boomers and Gen-X, and you are spot-on about work-life balance is dead and work-life integration is the new focus.
Great article. Keep it up.
May 31, 2007 at 3:19 am |
Interesting piece. I guess I would be considered one of the “older workers” and I have to disagree somewhat regarding personal/professional lines. It is hard to keep personal issues from work but totally doable. It just seems that younger workers today want to be able to do what they want, when they want and do it on the job. I don’t agree with this at all. Sure, I’m all for creating a healthy work environment, facilities on the work site that cater to exercise, day care, etc during your lunch or break time, but that’s jus it ..leave it for those specific times…We aren’t paid for mixing up personal and professional on the job – I guess I come from a background of a different (“older”) work ethic. Sometimes I feel that the younger generation expect too much and can give way to their giving back little. Too much room for those that give little to the job to abuse the allowance of more and more personal time on the job.
I’m not saying I dont check my personal gmail at work or take a personal call every now and then, but I think the mentality that we are “owed” that privilege can create laziness and a weaker work ethic for those that pass the day by allowing more personal time into the work day than real work time. Then you have those that do this, bring a buttload of work home at night that they didn’t do during the day and your job and personal life are mixed 24-7 which isn’t healthy either.
Anyway, great site ya got here J. Thought I would give my 2 cents
June 29, 2007 at 3:00 pm |
Hey there – great blog! I am working on a book on generational attitudes toward work and technology and would like to quote from this post. Can you email me to discuss? I want to make sure I attribute it properly. Thanks!
September 14, 2007 at 7:07 pm |
Hey! Great blog topic! I’m currently working with a San Francisco Communication firm who works with the nations top Fortune 500’s (one of which just spent over $1 billion for a parking space…). They’re attempting to convince these Fortune 500’s that we are different and we demand different things.
Rob – I’m sure our CEO would love to be able to chat with you about your book and add what they’re experience has been with this transition. Please let me know if you’re interested!!
April 14, 2009 at 2:07 am |
Great post. And funny, I’ve found it 2 years after it was written.
Love the line: “work is something that you do, not a place that you go.” Great.
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