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All work and no life is not an option for Gen X/Y
Meghan Wier has worked awfully hard to create a balance between
work and family, and she's not about to drop it all just for a bigger
paycheck.
"I have a system now where I work part time and partly from home
because I have a son who's 1 year old," said Wier, 29, vice president
of development for the software firm. "I'm constantly trying to figure
out how to balance my work and my family. ... I feel really lucky
because I'm in a situation where I can have a professional career but
also have my family and home life, too."
What if someone came along with an offer of a bigger job? A bigger
paycheck? Lots of exotic travel? "Frankly, I may just say it's not
worth it," she said. "I'd weigh the opportunity, but it would be a
very hard decision."
Welcome to the outlook of Generation X and Generation Y — people like
me, born between about 1965 and 1985 — children of the Boomer
generation.
Let me be among the last to observe that the X and Y generations look
at life differently. But let me be among the first to note some new
evidence backing up that vast oversimplification when it comes to
careers.
A study released this month found that only 52 percent of
college-educated, Gen-X/Y men "wanted to move into jobs with more
responsibility," down from 68 percent among men at that same age in
1992. Among women, the study found a 21-percentage-point plunge.
Compared with past generations, Gen-X/Y employees are less likely to
automatically climb the corporate ladder to the detriment of family
and personal life. And it's not from laziness. The study found Gen-X/Y
employees work longer hours and deal with more work from home than
previous generations.
Let me add the caveat that every situation is different. My own
grandfather drove trains through Indiana for decades, spending days
away from home. My work life can't compare to that.
And a mix of social cross-currents are at play here. The study
observes that Gen-X/Y workers endured the '90s bubble at the beginning
of their careers, and personally know of layoffs. Gen-X/Y employees
are more often the kids of working parents.
We're also of an age to personally observe a shift in the meaning of
"promotion." Our parents could often equate "promotion" with a more
plush career life — a big office, a secretary and long business
lunches.
Not anymore. Now, "You've been promoted" often means you're doing two
or three jobs.
"A lot of those higher positions never pay good enough to overcome how
your life is so imbalanced," said Christopher Burns, founder of the
Rochester Young Professionals organization.
What's more, this generation finds "balance" is not a preference, but
a necessity.
"More people are in dual-income situations," Burns said. "So you have
to make sure there is someone to give little Frederick a bath, help
with homework or read Puff The Magic Dragon."
To reinforce how these generations do not seek balance from love of
leisure, I'll note the career of Joel Kunkler, 33, landlord services
coordinator of the Housing Council of Rochester.
"I'm focused almost entirely on my career," said Kunkler, who is
single. "At some point, I'm going to have children, and I don't want
to have to do this level of work then. So I'm doing it now. Last night
I left work at 1 a.m. and was back here at 8 a.m. ... Hopefully, I'm
putting myself in a position where, later on, I will direct others who
have that same level of energy I have."
So this week's advice to the Gen-X/Y block is this: "You are not alone
in working for balance above career. And you're not alone in working
very hard for it."
Courtesy:
Google News
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