Millennials want more work-life balance: Here’s how to achieve it

MILLENNIALS WANT MORE WORK-LIFE BALANCE П HERE'S HOW TO ACHIEVE IT By 2025, 75% of the global workforce will be comprised Millennials: People born in the early 1980s through the early 2000s of Millennials. ACCORDING TO EARNST AND YOUNG'S 2015 GLOBAL GENERATION SURVEY (IN CONJUNCTION WITH HARRIS POLL): 1/3 of full-time workers say managing work-life balance has become more difficult in the last 5 years. Younger generations and parents find it more difficult to achieve work-life balance. THE TWO MAIN REASONS RESPONDENTS SAID WORK-LIFE BALANCE WAS MORE DIFFICULT TO MANAGE WERE: 49% 48% "My salary has not increased much, but my expenses have." "My responsibilities at work have increased." In all countries surveyed, Millennials and Gen X found it more difficult to manage work and family/personal responsibilities than Baby Boomers. MANAGERS WHO REPORTED AN INCREASE IN HOURS: 47% 38% 28% Baby Boomer managers Millennial managers Gen X managers "Finding time for me" is the biggest challenge faced by Millennial parents who are managers in the U.S. 12 30 MILLENNIALS ARE MUCH LESS LIKELY TO TAKE A CAREER BREAK AFTER HAVING CHILDREN THAN GEN X AND BABY BOOMERS. 50% 75% 67% Millennials Gen X Baby Boomers ACCORDING TO THE 2016 DELOITTE MILLENNIAL SURVEY: Millennials seek a good work-life balance. They want to own their own homes. They desire a partner for life. They strive for financial security that allows them to save money for a comfortable retirement. When salary or other financial benefits are removed from the equation, work-life balance is the top priority for Millennials. They rank it as more important than: Opportunities to progress or become a leader 12 Flexible hours Sense of meaning from work Professional development training programs A strong sense of purpose HOW YOU CAN ACHIEVE BETTER WORK-LIFE BALANCE GET AN EARLY START KNOW THAT IT'S OK TO SAY NO Waking up early allows time for exercise, spending time with family, or carving out some alone time before work. If you're swamped at work and home, it's okay to turn down a dinner invitation in favor of some alone time. CONSIDER TRACKING CONCENTRATE ON YOUR TIME ONE THING AT A TIME TO DO LIST ПРА Track how you spend your time. Devote your full attention to one task at a time. Eliminate things that waste your time or don't matter to you. When you are working, work; when you're spending time with your family, spend time with your family. EVEN WHEN YOU'RE BUSY, RECOGNIZE THAT TAKING PLAN AT LEAST ONE FUN BREAKS CAN INCREASE ACTIVITY EACH WEEK PRODUCTIVITY Downtime can help reduce burnout and increase energy. It'll give you something to look forward to when you head into the work week. Take a walk, have a meal, socialize, etc. PLAN WHAT TIME YOU'LL SCHEDULE RECURRING LEAVE THE OFFICE SOCIAL ACTIVITIES BEFORE THE DAY STARTS A monthly wine night or weekly dinner with friends or family allows you to plan your work life around your social life. It will help you prioritize your, and other people's, days so you don't have to scramble after you should have been out the door. BE TRANSPARENT SAVE THE LAST 20 ABOUT YOUR NEEDS MINUTES FOR CLEAN UP Have an open and honest conversation with your manager if you need to head out for a family commitment or errand. Block out time at the end of the day to wrap up loose ends. If you don't respect your needs and routine, then you can't expect others to respect them. BEFORE YOU GO ON VACATION, MAKE REASONS TO SET EXPECTATIONS LEAVE WORK ON TIME APPROVED Find out if your boss expects you to work or be available via email. Join an exercise class, book club, or other activity that meets at a set time. KNOCK OUT CHORES BEFORE THE WEEKEND TURN OFF (OR EARLY IN THE WEEKEND) Rather than dread impending housework, disperse household chores throughout the week or knock them out first thing Saturday morning so the rest of the weekend When you're on vacation, be on vacation. When you're home, be home. can be focused on fun and relaxation. Do your least favorite chore at the beginning of the week to free you from the burden during the rest of the week. Many of us struggle to balance alone time, family time, social activities, housework, and work responsibilities. But by making time for all these, you can increase your productivity and happiness at and outside of work. SOURCES: ey.com salary.com themuse.com theatlantic.com entrepreneur.com www2.deloitte.com blog.kissmetrics.com Brought to you by: Quill.com A small part of your job is 100% of ours.