Young employees are becoming increasingly aware of the importance of maintaining balance between professional duties and personal life. Research shows that Generation Z is very serious about work-life balance when planning their careers.
According to a report by Wroclaw University of Technology titled “Jump into Adulthood,” for the majority of young people, the most important areas in life are family (80%) and friends (54%). Career ranks only 5th on their list (38%), after health and well-being (55%) and personal development (49%). This means that Generation Z values their personal well-being, relationships, and social support, which forms the foundation of the work-life balance.
“In maintaining work-life balance, the most important things are our resources. Because it is we who decide in what environment we live and to what extent we let it affect us. Assuming that we can control absolutely everything in our life is an illusion. However, it mostly depends on us whether we will feel the balance – satisfaction from both work and personal life. Regardless of the profession we choose. Everything is rooted in our way of thinking. So if we take care of our body and our mind, we will cope with any circumstance – emphasizes Professor Joanna Rymaszewska, a psychiatrist from the Faculty of Medicine at the Wroclaw University of Technology.
Impact of the pandemic on life priorities
The aspiration of young people to harmonize different areas of life became evident a few years ago, during the Covid-19 pandemic. It then turned out how important non-material aspects of their professional activity were to young people. The PwC report “Young Poles in the labor market in the new normal” (2020) showed that 59% of respondents value work-life balance over high earnings, and 51% want to have a job that is also their passion. Among the most important areas at work, respondents mentioned – apart from good salary – a friendly atmosphere, a sense of meaning in their work, or tasks aligned with their interests.
The trend of work-life balance also stayed with us after the pandemic. In the Randstad Workmonitor study (2023), it took the leading position on the list of the most important factors affecting Poles’ satisfaction with their current or potential workplace (94%). In the same study, 57% of respondents said they would not accept a job offer that would adversely affect the balance between their professional and private spheres.
Self-realization as the key to success
One of the interesting findings of a study conducted by the IPC Research Institute for the Wroclaw University of Technology is young people’s readiness to gain professional experience – over 56% of respondents are already working, usually part-time. While striving for financial independence is important, young people are aware of the need to maintain balance. This impacts their approach to careers – young people’s career plans also involve aspects of self-realization.
Generation Z, surprisingly, places great importance on personal development. As many as 49% of young people regard this aspect as one of the most important values in life. This shows the new way young people think. Career and financial success are no longer goals in themselves, but tools to achieve a fuller life. Especially since young people are also aware of the risks associated with excessive stress and burnout. Generation Z knows how important it is to take care of their mental health. The report shows that young people value emotional stability and security provided by their loved ones. Family and friends play a key role in providing support, which is particularly important during adolescence.
“Maintaining balance is an art that we learn all our lives. The advice of mature people for the younger generation is often purely theoretical. Therefore, it’s important that at the threshold of adulthood, one should not be afraid to ask for help and seek psychotherapy if needed. This, under professional supervision, can greatly help in self-understanding and identifying your needs – concludes Joanna Rymaszewska.
The report shows that young people increasingly understand the importance of striving to maintain balance in life. On the one hand, they appreciate the need for gaining professional experience, on the other hand, they value mental health, personal development, and relationships with loved ones. This indicates their mature approach to the future and readiness to face challenges. The young generation is already able to effectively manage their time and priorities. More on this topic can be found in the full report of the Wroclaw University of Technology.
About the study
The study commissioned by Wroclaw University of Technology was conducted in March and April 2024. The study had two parts:
– Quantitative – an electronic questionnaire filled out by 1,060 people (representative group in e.g. gender and place of residence)
– Qualitative – focus group discussions in eight groups, composed of 64 senior high school and vocational school students.
Source: https://managerplus.pl/pokolenie-z-stawia-na-work-life-balance-rodzina-i-zdrowie-ponad-kariera-58991
