As baby boomers think about retiring, positions are opening up for the net generation. Soon, it will be become a candiate's market. And now, many candidates are thinking about more than just salary. The net generation wants a work life balance and an employer who is willing to support that. We want 4 day work weeks and options for telecommuting and working from home.
The article also mentions some very creative ways that companies are incorporating a work-life balance into the mix. Google for instance offers laundry, car washes, mandatory fun breaks, free vacations, an amazing cafeteria and much much more for their employees. Check out their video here.
If you are planning on moving to another company after you finish your MBA, will you demand a work-life balance? Will you expect 4 day work weeks and options for working at home?
3 comments:
Work life balance is a key part of the decision process in considering a job for me. During interviews I directly ask my soon to be supervisor if hired what their take was on work life balance. Some might call this a bit brash, but I'd rather be rejected for a job because the supervisor only wants workaholics than accept with a smile only to endure 55 hour work weeks I hate.
I had considered a consulting firm who I did three interviews with and all the employees sold me on how the company would cover any expense (including alcohol and night club cover charges) while on work assignments. I went to meet some of the employees at an after work meeting one day at a bar (which was part of the interview process). I was shocked to see 3 hours of a Thursday evening from 6-9 pm spent doing more work, discussing projects at the bar and the boss paying a whopping bar tab to boot.
I couldn't see my whole life being exchanged for marriage to the company. It was unclear if the mass consumption of alcohol was that celebratory or a true job aid.
Each person has to establish their work life balance comfort level but I'm sure you can guess where I stand.
Re: Balance: The New Workplace Perk.
In your blog, you asked: "If you are planning on moving to another company after you finish your MBA, will you demand a work-life balance? Will you expect 4 day work weeks and options for working at home?" As someone who has turned down offers due the the high demands of the position, I will absolutely expect a flexible work schedule.
But I am also aware that each of us is in a different stage of our lives so we may have different goals. Some individuals get excited at the thought of traveling 3 weeks out of each month. Then you have those who are content with traveling once or twice a year. However, today's technically savvy workforce makes efficient use of Live Meeting, webcams, and many other conferencing tools. So it is possible that employers may actually expect less travel as we move forward.
Hi Jessica,
It is important to have a work/life balance. I think from a supervisor point of view it is essential that they do not try to over work their employees. It is important that companies draw a line between only doing work when you are on the clock, and not having this interfer with employees lives. I think as an employee if you are getting paid for the time and are willing to work over the alloted 40 hours then it is thier choice. But, as a company it should not be expected to carry work home and not be compensated for it. I think that companies should take in consideration employees lives outside of work and should not expect them to put in 40+ hours.
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