 According to a recent study, Family Time is far more important that other aspects of life for most Americans, and a clear majority value physical and outdoor activities. My work with clients supports these findings!
A Pew Research Center study, which came out at the end of May 2023 says that, “About three-quarters of U.S. adults (73%) rate spending time with family as one of the most important things to them personally, regardless of how much time they actually devote to it. Nine-in-ten say they view it either as one of the most important things or as very important but not the most important thing.” This coincides with my experience as a Career Counselor in which family time and work/life balance most often make the list of my clients top five values (which they directly use to help make career decisions). They also share about NOT having this value met at previous jobs and feeling guilty or frustrated at the impact on their families. Additionally, I help clients create a job search screening tool - including information on what they need or must have in a future job – and work/life balance or aspects related to that are always on the list. These aspects are expressed as: having a “regular” schedule mostly within school day hours, allowing some choice of hours, a flexible schedule allowing for upcoming appointments, ability to work online or hybrid working hours, or a choice to complete work outside of their normal schedule. Some clients also talk directly about the employer’s values and culture, wanting them to value family and time outside work, and to recognize that their employees are whole people, with a spectrum of life priorities. I coach them on how to research a company or organization’s culture through online sources and interview questions. On another related topic, the study finds that, “Clear majorities say being physically active (74%), being outdoors and experiencing nature (72%)…are at least very important to them.” This resonates with what I hear from my clients about health and stress management, or a concern about their level of fitness, which may even be holding them back from advancing in a physical career. If an employer has a wellness program, whether that be yoga classes, a workout room, or a wellness area to rest and recharge, this seems to be a valuable benefit for employees considering working there. This makes sense to me! I’m curious, how much do you value these aspects of work? https://lnkd.in/gSiAXVkb #workinghours #job #career #careertransition #wellness #workculturematters
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What changes can you expect to see in the labor force over the next few years? Indeed Hiring Lab and Glassdoor Economic Research teams partnered to predict these changes and produced a Hiring and Workplace Trends Report, reported on in this Indeed article. Revisiting #2 in the article's trends list, "Remote Work is Here to Stay," I have mentioned that many more of my clients are seeking hybrid or remote positions than before COVID, and I've heard them say they can't imagine going back to punching a clock and working 40+ hours a week in an office anymore. They appreciate the autonomy, flexibility, and work-life balance that remote or hybrid work allows, including working hours that fit their family schedules and times of highest productivity. As a Career Counselor, I have wondered if the tide of employer expectations was going to turn back to people working primarily onsite. This report says, "No," to that question, at least in the big picture. *As a side note, most of my clients are well established in their work lives and have strong resumes that increase their demand. Additionally, some jobs clearly don't lend themselves to remote work, so regardless of experience level, they need to be done in-person. Many do not, though. Read on to learn about other trends expected, not only in 2023, but over the next several years, including one that is music to my ears, "People will expect a sense of happiness and wellbeing from their work." Yes! This is a huge part of the reason I do what I do! Speaking of work-life balance, a recent article in U.S. News and World Report listed the top 10 companies that "...offer flexible schedules and encourage employees to develop rich and healthy lives outside of the office," including Brunswick, Etsy, and Essex Property Trust. It says work-life policies will be driven much more by employee demand than in the past. In my experience, these new policies will contribute to both greater employee happiness AND retention. What do you think about these trends or which companies provide work-life balance? I'd love to hear. #wellbeing #happiness #careercounseling #workplacetrends #worklifebalance |
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Kristina Bennett Cheney, MA, Career Counselor, helping mid-career professionals who are burnt out and frustrated in careers that drain their energy, to discover and transition to meaningful careers that fit and energize them. Archives
June 2023
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