One of the top 12 trends for 2012 as named by the communications firm Euro RSCG Worldwide is that employees in the Gen Y, or millennial, demographic — those born between roughly 1982 and 1993 — are overturning the traditional workday," reports Time.
As baby boomers retire and are replaced by Gen Y employees, expectations about work-life balance and workplace flexibility are shifting. Leading the charge is the flexibility with which many of us are already working, thanks to technology. We have become an entirely plugged in, global workforce where it is possible to have several employees working on the same project in different cities, states and even countries.
And if you are working across different time zones, for many industries it does not matter when you are working - as long as the work is completed on time and no one else on the team is waiting on you. Which leads many workers to wonder "why does it matter if I work 9-5 if I would prefer to work 12-8?"
Most Gen Y'ers want to know that their employer trusts their work ethic and choices. This applies to the hours they work and also what they have access to. Gen Y employees are more likely to be annoyed by strict controls over internet usage and social media sites. In fact, some young workers are opting for workplace flexibility over other traditionally more attractive deciding factors when accepting jobs - like ability to telecommute, flex time (being able to work your own hours) and free reign over the world wide web.
As a result, many companies are adopting workplace flexibility programs that give employees the perks that Gen Y'ers are looking for. They are taking a leap of faith that by giving workers the freedom to complete tasks where and when they want, they will see a bump in productivity that comes from a happy work force.
Workplace Flexibility and Work Injury
Another positive side effect of workplace flexibility may be decreased incidence of work injury. If employees are working in a culture that encourages meeting their individual needs for the greater good of the company, they are more likely to take care of themselves. They may go to the gym in the middle of the day - great for staying fit and managing stress, both of which help decrease the likelihood of work injury. They are also more likely to take breaks when they need to because they are not so conscious of punching the clock every time they step outside for some air and to stretch their muscles.
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