Work / Life or Life
Generation Y has a world in which there are increasing rules, regulations, processes and parameters which segment what they do and how they do it. Work/Life balance was a natural ‘philosophy’ that was bourne out of these cultural and societal changes.
Many a manager has been left standing open mouthed when asked by the mid management employee about the level of his ‘bonus’ and ‘the expected pay-rise for next year’. Many of these most demanding employees don’t make the connection with ‘bonus’ and pay rise to the contribution they make. The most vocal, according to a Recruiter survey, were those employees who worked 9-5, ignoring the financial and business crisis of the past 12 months, and lacked initiative.
Looking at the teaching of ‘work/life balance’, by inference, the term itself has an entire generation thinking consciously or unconsciously that work is somehow ‘outside’ of what is life. The phrase ‘work/life’ balance has inferred a negative connotation on working – be it a job or career. Generally speaking, there is an entire generation who justify many shortcomings, unhappiness or failures to be successful in their lives by blaming ‘work’. Anything from ‘spirituality void’ to ‘addictive and the cause of unhappiness, stress, health issues or marriage break-down’! Work is seen as an experience endured rather than enjoyed; a view of work (employment) as separate to everything else that makes up our lives.
Of course, life is one holistic whole rather than a juggling or balancing act between work and all the rest of our existence! Generation Y was led to believe ‘they could have it all’ and was never told how….
When I asked one of the most adamant ‘work to rule’ employees in my own firm how he was getting on with his football he said ‘Oh ya, forgot to tell you, have to leave early tonight for extra football’,- the team were not doing too well and he had to put in extra hours of practice. Does he enjoy it? Yes! Always? Well, most of the time. Does he miss out on his favourite TV shows because of the need for extra practice? ‘Yes’ Does he get paid for it? No! Does he get a bonus if he wins? No!
Like sport, drinking, relationships and music – work is no different. To truly enjoy work, one needs to embrace the challenges and situations that accompany it. Just because a person does not get the job or career they ‘want’ does not mean they can’t make the most out of what is a twist of fate or circumstance. A job, like sport, relationships, building a home and so forth are largely what we make it. The enjoyment, energy and benefits you receive are down to you.
Professionals in HR have the responsibility to coach and guide our employees. Many young professionals have been overwhelmed with technical or sales training but the emotional substance and guidance has not kept up. Do the older generations make too many assumptions perhaps? Induction programs, however modest, need to go back to basics. Set out the culture of the organization, spell out the flexibility and commitment needed for the role they are hired to do, don’t be scared to reiterate what you might think is common sense or patronizing.
Are you affected? A simple example/test for you is to ask yourself whether your thinking been affected by everyday phrases, such as ‘Work/Life Balance’, ‘Earn a living’, ‘Work for a living’, ‘Overtime’. Each one could imply that work has a negative effect on your life; work as the necessary evil interrupting what could otherwise be a utopian existence!
This post was written by Rosalyn Rahme – CEO of Goldjobs.com