{Image found here}
As you guy’s know, I just got back from a weekend at home. I’m extremely lucky to have a very flexible work schedule and when I asked my bosses for Friday off to go home and surprise Eric for his birthday they were more than happy to give it to me. They know I miss home a lot, so they have been extremely flexible about giving me time off; I’m going home for three weeks at Christmas!
Studies are showing that Gen Y values flexibility in their jobs more than wages. We don’t want to work 9 to 5, Monday to Friday. We want to get off work when the work is done, we want to be able to take a long weekend every once in awhile, we want to be able to take a late lunch or a long lunch every once in awhile. At least I do, do you?
For me, if I made a huge wage but never had any time off to go home for a visit – I live 1,000 km (620 miles) from home – it wouldn’t be worth it. I value my extra time to go home; I value it more than an extra $1, $2, even $3 an hour.
I also do a lot of freelance work, which means working from home. I work on deadlines so as long as my work is done by deadline my editor doesn’t care when I do it. I like that. I do it early in the morning or late at night. Whenever I have time. I think flexible working hours really helps me achieve a good work-life balance.
This article in USA Today makes some important points about Generation Y.
Work-life balance isn’t just a buzz-word: Today’s youngest workers are more interested in making their jobs accommodate their family and personal lives. They want jobs with flexibility, telecommuting options and the ability to go part-time or leave the workforce temporarily when children are in the picture.
Personally, I couldn’t agree more with that statement. What about you? Is your job flexible when it comes to hours? Would you rather get a higher wage or have more flexible hours?
{ 50 comments… read them below or add one }
Hey, I already work part time so that I can have some balance between my work and real life! It was the smartest (and sanest) decision I’ve ever made. I would do it again, in a heartbeat. In fact, I long for the day when I can cut my hours even more!
H =)
p.s. Glad you had a good weekend at home!
I like the idea of working part-time and is definitely something I plan on doing. One day…. Haha!
My job is extremely flexible. I only work 8 hours a week and have set times when I come in, but can change them. which I usually do almost each week. And if I can’t work the set amount of hours that week, its no big deal. Its more about the quality rather than the ‘quantity’ (hours) since I’m writing articles for the web. For example, I get next week off of classes for Thanksgiving, so I’m also taking that time off of work. And during Christmas break, I won’t be working for 4 weeks. The less time I have to be in an office and the more time I get to be with family and friends, the better. As long as I have enough money to get by, then I’d rather have more time for my family rather than more money.
I’m glad you had a great weekend home – you obviously needed it!
I absolutely rate flexibility as being more important than higher wages. I mean, I want to be able to afford a comfortable life, but beyond that I want to be able to enjoy my life and not work all the hours God sends. At the moment I’m setting myself up to work as a private English teacher – so I have 100% flexibility in terms of setting my agenda and booking time off.
I think the article you mentioned (which was very interesting, by the way) also highlighted another interesting point: that we Gen Yers plan and save more for retirement. Maybe that could be a subject for a future meeting?
Thanks for the suggestion, Sarah. Look out for that topic in December or January some time
Flexibility is a big deal to me as well. Even though I work a traditional work schedule, my employer is flexible about me coming in early or leaving late for an appt and people will typically work from home if they have appts that make it inconvenient to come into work. What I like best is that people will work from home when they are sick – granted you don’t work if you are totally laid up, but if you are feeling under the weather and don’t want to risk getting your co-workers sick, you can stay home and work from home, which is really nice.
I do wish I had flex hours where I could work extra Mon-Thur & then have Friday off, but that is just not the case.
Being able to work from home when I’m sick is a HUGE perk for me! I have the kind of job where I CAN do the work when I’m feeling a bit under the weather, but it’s nice to not have to come in and infect all of my co-workers.
I couldn’t agree with you more. Flexibility is so important in a work schedule. My job definitely lacks it on a day to day basis, but I do have one Monday every other week off, which is nice. My BF however has it great. He must be in the office from 10 until 2 but he can show up whenever and leave whenever as long as he gets his hours in and his work done. That’s a pretty good way to go I think.
Wow, your boyfriends schedule is awesome!
I think it makes a difference whether you’re on salary or paid hourly as well. I’m paid hourly, which allows for a lot more flexibility then someone who’s on salary!
My schedule is 7am to 3pm, Monday to Friday. However, they don’t make a big fuss over it if I come in early and/or leave a little early. I like that about my job.
When I used to work 8-hour shifts at my old job I LOVED the early morning shifts because it meant I got off early and had my whole afternoon free!
I have a pretty flexible – 8 to 4:30 ish job.
When i went through the surgery last december – i knew i’d have multiple appointments for the first couple months. I’d try to get the first appointment of the day, then head to work after that. and normally my boss would just tell me to not worry about making up the time. the rest of the time, she expects us to do our 8 hours a day, more if necessary. and for like 4 months – we had to put in so much over time. that we ended up just taking days whenever we could and not counting it against our vacation days. That’s why i have so many vacation days and sick days! But i have to use up all my vacation by the end of the year. Yikes!
I dont think my job is entirely that flexible, but if i do take a long lunch every now and then. need to leave early, it’s fine. but i just can’t abuse it. and i don’t.
The only thing i think is ridiculous is – i really think that our department should be closed between christmas and new year’s. There’s NEVER anything to do! luckily i’ve been able to take those days off the past 2 years. But of course everyone else that doesn’t get their hours in early enough, complains. First come, first serve.
I like the first come, first serve approach for taking holidays. I’m an extremely organized person and know when I want time off wayyy ahead of time, usually, so too bad for the other people who don’t! I had that problem at my old job.
I completely agree that time off and a flexible schedule is extremely important. I could easily get a job making anywhere from $5,000-7,000 more a year but I would give up the ability to take off early on a Friday afternoon, go to the gym on my lunch break and have week nights and weekends all to myself. The extra money would be nice but not at the expense of my life as I know it!!
Oh and its great to hear that you got to go surprise your bf on his birthday!
TOTALLY agree. Money is just money, and it’s not worth giving up your LIFE for more of it!
At 30, I’m not sure if I qualify as part of the “younger” workforce anymore, but I absolutely value work-life balance and flexibility. As a salaried employee, I have a fair amount of flexibility in my work, but I’m still expected to be here during “normal businesss hours.”
The one gripe I have is that it seems like people with kids are afforded more flexibility than those of us without. Although I don’t begrudge them the chance to go to kids’ school functions, stay home with a sick child, etc., I don’t get the same opportunities if I want to work out or take my dog to the vet, etc. I’d be interested to see if your other readers have had similar experiences.
Actually that’s really interesting, Cari and I think that will make a great topic for a future Monday Meeting post.
I haven’t experienced problems with this at my current job, but in the past I have.
However, on the other hand, when I have kids having a very flexible job will be important to me. But employers shouldn’t favour anyone and they should afford everyone the same amount of flexibility.
Has anyone else experienced this at their jobs?
Totally!!! i absolutely agree- people with kids are afforded more luxury than people who don’t have kids. It kind of sucks for me because i don’t plan on having kids. But at the same time it leaves me an advantage of being able to move up in my position more quickly. (still waiting to see that happen though).
I work the traditional 8:30-5 hours but I work on an academic campus so there is a lot of flexibility. I have both federal and academic holidays and a wonderful time off package. I usually get anywhere from a week- two weeks off for Christmas/New Years without using any personal time. (We get generous time off for other holidays as well). I most definitely value flexibility and a work/lifie balance. I am not a person who is happy working more than 40 hours a week. I don’t want to be defined by my job. I have a life and really want to keep it that way.
I eventually want to work for the government because of its security and the great vacation time they get. As long as I HAVE vacation time, I don’t mind working 9-5 all the time. I know some people prefer working 8-6 4 days a week, and get 1 day off every week. So I guess they also provide great flexibility too
Oh, and one other thing that I’m hoping for: to be able to work from home once in a while. So many people have horrendous commutes to work, and I really think that working from home at least a few days a week is really the way of the future! And good for the environment
Good point, Anais. Working from home can be SO nice and I think it would be a great way for corporate offices to go in the future. I wonder if it has proven to boost productivity? I think that’s definitely something to look into.
I definitely don’t think it’s for everybody. It takes determination to actually sit down and work and not go watch TV and go for a walk
So as for productivity, I think it would really depend!
Ya you’re right. I think it takes a certain type of personality and a certain type of work for someone to be able to work at home successfully.
My job is extremely flexible, and I love it! If I’m sick, suddenly need to take a Saturday off, or just have a little more on my school plate than usual, all I have to do is ask and I can get some extra time off.
I do have limits on how much money I’m willing to sacrifice in the name of flexibility, though. That must be the poor kid in me coming out.
I definitely have limits in how much money I’m willing to sacrifice too, Vanessa. You’ll notice I only went up to an extra $3 an hour in my post because I figured $5 or more dollars an hour might really make it worth it.
Then again, I used to make a great wage working as a full-time lifeguard and I hated my life. So I think it depends on the hours, job and wage for how much I’d be willing to sacrifice!
My job is definitely flexible when it comes to time off- if I need to take off to go to the DMV or go to a doctor’s appointment, I don’t need to put in for time off. I think that flexibility is VERY important. It used to be that the work day was 9-5 and everyone went home and everyone was unreachable after hours. Now, thanks to email and cell phones, things don’t really “shut down.” I know that I check my work email from home in the evenings, and I work late ( 8 or 9 pm!) on occasion. If I work late and don’t get paid extra for it (no overtime for me), then I think it’s also ok if I have to come in late on occasion, without being deducted for it.
I like this Monday Meeting series! It makes me think. I think as long as you’re making enough to pay bills and be able to enjoy life, I’d take a pay cut for more flexibility.
My previous job was extremely flexible. I just did data entry at a manufacturing plant and as long as I got in 40 hours a week, I could work whenever I wanted, which was SO nice! I did a lot of 10 hr days M-Th so I could get Fridays off and I remember several times coming in at like 3am so I could do something specific in the afternoon. However I could barely pay the bills on what I made so I didn’t like that part of it. It was also VERY boring work.
My current job isn’t flexible at all. The owner of the company is very old-school and thinks WE MUST BE HERE. Even salary people have to punch in on a time clock so he knows who is there when. It’s a little ridiculous.
That being said, I do have a little flexibility when it comes to taking time off. I’m hourly so I guess they figure if I want to take off and not get paid then I can (as long as everything is done at the office). So if I have a dr appt or something I can sneak out and it’s no problem. I’m also taking an extra long Christmas vacation since that’s the only holiday I get to see my family and I can’t wait!
I value flexibility quite a bit, especially now that I’m pregnant! Wage is important too but I’d rather be able to work my job around my life than try and squeeze my life in around the job. My job is the type where there’s always work to be done so I never get to go home “when all the work is done”. The hours are somewhat flexible though. I work 7-3:30 now but can change to start later (as late as 9, I think) if I wanted to. My supervisor is really good about letting us leave early for appointments or a few hours early if we’re going on a vacation or something. And there’s the possibility of working from home, part-time or full-time or contract only (not open to just anybody, but if they like you and you work hard!) – which is what I’m hoping to be able to do once Baby is born. If they’re not flexible enough, I’ll quit and find something else.
That would be great if you could work from home once you have the baby!
My job is like that too, always work to be done, BUT it is prioritized so when I’m done the important work for the day I can leave early if I have to. I think that it comes down to an employee being responsible. If they are wasting their eight hours online on facebook etc. anyways, then why have them there for that long? My employers know that if I have to leave work early for whatever reason, I will either come back afterwards or get my work done that night at home.
I agree, I have started seeing more and more how much the flexibility with my job is a definite PLUS. Sure, I’d like to make more $, but the flexibility definitely is worth a lot in my book.
That’s my biggest pet peeve about work. Why do I have to be here if I have no work to do??? I think everyone would be much more efficient if they could leave when their work is done. Instead, I work slowly and spread it all out.
I COMPLETELY agree with you! I don’t feel that way at my current job, but I’ve had jobs in the past that are like that. I wasted time reading blogs or going on facebook, but really I’d rather NOT be in the office if there’s no work to do!
I REALLY miss my old job where (not only did I make more) but I had a lot more flexibility.
Working 8-5 makes it hard to get a doctors/dentist/vet appointment and it’s really hard if you need to do anything regarding your car (insurance, registration, etc) because those locations only work the same hours I do.
I applied for a job with a fantastic salary, flex time (as long as you worked 8 hours between 7am and 6pm all is good) and they only paid you 7 hours a day, so that extra hour would be taken every 2 weeks as a flex day…I LOVE the sounds of that…obviously, this (to me) is the ideal work situation. Though I wish that I could work shorter days when there is less work and longer days when there is more work, but you take what you can get right…
Anyway, I am still waiting to hear on that job…we shall see!! (I should also mention that it is paired with a fantastic work experience as well as amazing company paid benefits as well, which I also consider when looking at a new position).
I also noticed on the comment above me. I currently work at a position where i have NO work. I am very slow at the work they do give me because I don’t want to be sitting here twiddling my thumbs all day. However, when I have lots of projects, I am efficient and things get done (properly too!)
That job sounds GREAT, girl. I really like that concept of having 11 hours to fit in 8 hours of work, whenever you want.
I will be crossing my fingers for you! Sounds like an amazing opportunity!
I was just telling my cousin the other day that I’m ready for a non-traditional job. I’m tired of the 8am-5pm daily grind each day, sometime more hours, occasional less, but not often. I want to be able to have flex hours, not have to be in the office all the time. And if that meant i couldn’t have as much money in my pocket? So be it. The mental freedom is much more rewarding if you ask me =)
One day, a long time down the road, I dream of working completely from home. I couldn’t agree more about you calling it being a ‘mental freedom’, work-life balance is so, so, so important!!
I’m pretty blessed in that my work definitely let’s me take time when needed because I put in time when the work is needed. Flexibility is very important.
So glad you had a great weekend home and congrats getting 3 weeks for holiday!!!
Funny, I just read an article about generation Y today – very interesting how a whole generation can affect such change in the workplace. Lovely post!
Currently since I am teacher without a classroom, yes my job offers LOTS of flexibility. As a sub, I determine when and where I want to work. However, this semester I am long term subbing so I know everyday I am teaching DK and Computers. Teaching, is pretty flexible as well because heck, I get holidays and summers off. And for the most part I get out between 3:10 and 4:00. However, I am all for the 4 day work week.
In general my job is fairly flexible in regards to taking time off for appointments or scheduling vacations. But I’m still working pretty regularly from 9-5. There are some departments at my office that have assigned lunch hour times, to make sure there’s always someone there. I’m free to choose to go whenever, but in general I take lunch around the same time each day. While I do enjoy the amount of flexibility I have now, I don’t think its extremely high on my priority list at least right now. However, I do think that in the future it has the potential to become far more important to me, especially once there are kids in the picture.
hmmm I always thought I wanted the typical 9-5-type job but after working one for a year I’d love more flexibility! I hate never getting to the store or library or bank or *insert office that closes at 5-6pm* without a huge amount of planning because I never get home before 6 or 7pm.
A lot of my job requires after-hours and weekend work, and while I get that time-in-lieu later I’m still generally expected in the office 9am – 5pm most days. Annoying! I’d love to get my 8-hours in from home (not allowed) or during non-business hours.
I think my original hesitancy to a ‘flexible’ work schedule was because I thought it meant shift-work type schedule that would give me regular late nights or weekend work. I don’t mind the occasional weekend of work, but if my having flexibility also means my boss has flexibility to make me work a weekend or evening at a moment’s notice then I’m not interested.
I hate the “put the hours in” mentality in my sector. I’d love to just be able to get the work done and head home, but alas the work is ‘never’ done in my industry!
I agree. It’s a whole different ball game if your boss can call you into work late at night or on the weekend at a moment’s notice. Now, if it’s something I can take care of from home, I don’t mind.
I also used to think flexibility meant “shift work”, which I used to do and HATED, but my opinion of it has definitely changed lately. I now compare flexibility to responsibility in a way, your boss is being flexible by allowing YOU to choose your own hours etc. knowing that he can trust you to be responsible and get the work done!
At our office, work-life balance is very important and we are given the privilege of flexible hours. But some of my co-workers have been known to pull 10-12 hour days in order to get the required work done in time. I don’t mind doing that every once in awhile if it means I can come in late or leave early the following week!
OMG flexibility is soo important to me! I’m lucky that my boss is totes on board with the whole Work/Life Balance thing. She let me come in late several times a week so I could get in longer runs while I was in marathon training. And she left it up to me how I made up that time.
We also have a 9/80 work schedule where I work every OTHER Friday. So I’m OFF every other Friday. It’s just as great as you might imagine!
That’s awesome that your boss was so accomodating with your marathon training!
since I work from home, my job is definitely flexible! but sometimes I wish I worked in the office because it is very easy to slack off at home during the day and then have to make up for it at night (which doesn’t make for a balanced work-life situation). still, even though working at home does have some drawbacks, overall I am grateful for the flexibility it gives me. I’d still like a raise though! haha. because of the economy, I haven’t gotten one even though I have been working at my job for almost two years, and I already started at a pretty low wage… but I’m hanging in there.
Good for you for hanging in there! At least working from home is a nice treat although I’m sure it can have it’s downsides too!
Job flexibility and work/life balance is very important to me. Although I’m still in school, this summer at my internship I did the tradition 8 – 5 thing. I found it wasn’t AS bad a I thought it would be when I had work I actually had to get done and that’s why I was there so early, or staying late. But when I had nothing to do I just felt like I was wasting my time and should just go home. It’s funny the difference that personal freedom and choice can play… you can work the same amount of hours, but when you have to work them you are miserable but when you want to work them, you are content!
i currently work part time and go to school full time. i would rather get paid for working full time because with school its like i’m working a full time job, but i dont think the boss agrees! hahaha ohh to live in a perfect world. i might say i would rather a flexible job vs more money… but who knows.. they say money dosent buy happiness but it can buy ME things that make ME happy so its a lose lose situation! IMO
I’m really loving the flexibility of my job right now, but I know that as soon as I get into the legal job market that’s going away for the most part. If I’m in a firm, it’ll be crazy hours. If it’s government it’s more reasonable, but still not exactly “flexible”
My job is pretty flexible but not without guilt. I would gladly take a pay cut to have more flexibility and less guilt and responsibility.