This archive report was first published on 19 September 2019.
As the modern workforce continues to evolve, a new generation of professionals is redefining what it means to have a successful career. According to a survey by Werk, a company that helps businesses implement flexible work strategies, younger employees are just as likely as their older counterparts to value work-life balance.
For Dr. John Paul Graff, a 34-year-old pathologist, the decision to pursue a career in academic medicine was largely driven by a desire for a better work-life balance. Unlike his father, who worked in private practice for over 12 hours a day, Dr. Graff estimated that he gave up around $100,000 per year to work a standard 40-hour week.
“What we settled on was that the most important thing was time,” Dr. Graff said. “Money will come, it will go, but you’re only given so much time.”
As the workforce continues to age, it's clear that older employees are also seeking greater flexibility in the workplace. However, a sociologist at Hunter College notes that there can be tension between younger employees who demand flexibility and older workers who may feel that they didn't have the same opportunities when they were younger.
