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The Herman Trend Alert February 19, 2003 Life-Work Balance For years we've heard the concern for work-life balance. The shift we're sensing is to life-work balance. It's a subtle shift, but an important one. People are putting life before work, instead of work before life. One of the impacts of the September 11 terrorist attacks is a heightened awareness of our mortality, of the value of life. Life is more fragile than we'd thought. Relationships with family and friends should be treasured and nurtured. Attention to personal health has intensified, amplified by the increasing concern for obesity and other wellness issues. Young people graduating from school and entering the world of work are not enthusiastic about dedicating themselves to the job above all else. They have watched employers dump redundant people like they were trash to be discarded. Younger workers do not have the same commitment to their work or their employers that we saw in earlier generations. Older workers (30-55) who have been negatively affected by the economy, are asking themselves if the race for money, prestige, and power is really worthwhile. Senior citizens (55 and above) are disenchanted with the prospect of working longer and longer. They want a break, or at least some flexibility to enjoy life along the way. People are searching for different ways to manage their lives, to include work as an important, but lesser priority. Those attitudes will alter their relationships with their employers as we move through this decade, though most employers have not yet realized the change in expectations. Workers will look for employers that offer flexibility in working arrangements. They will seek more flexibility, creative time-off opportunities, and job conditions that are more fun. Yes, fun. Workplaces will become more like communities of people who enjoy being together, achieving results together, celebrating together. Relationships with children will become more important to workers, who will ask to modify their schedules and responsibilities to be available more for their families. Will this be a dominant trend? Not right away. It will evolve over time. We are, however, further down this path than most employers realize. It's time for some fresh thinking. © Copyright 1998- by The Herman Group, Inc. -- reproduction for publication is encouraged, with the following attribution: From "The Herman Trend Alert," by Roger Herman and Joyce Gioia, Strategic Business Futurists. (800) 227-3566 or http://www.hermangroup.com. The Herman Trend Alert is a trademark of The Herman Group, Inc."
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