CommercialCafe’s most recent survey highlights the difference in work preferences across various generations, including Generation Z, Millennials, Generation X and Baby Boomers.
While working from home seemed to be an opportunity for many to achieve a better work-life balance, there have been challenges with this arrangement and the impact it is having on each generation varies.
Younger generations have had hustle culture ingrained into them, so achieving a healthy work-life balance has often taken a back seat.
Of the 1,496 respondents to the survey, 41% were married with children, while 41% were single.
Additionally, nine in ten Millennials and eight in 10 Gen Xers were employed full-time. However, 60% of Gen Zers and 56% of Baby Boomers simply maintained a full-time job, indicating that freelancing and project-based work are more popular at the beginning and end of careers.
Over half of all respondents were said to be working from home, with most reporting that their work-life balance is either equal or better than prior to transitioning remote working.
Surprisingly, Gen Zers were less satisfied with this arrangement compared to the other generations, with 37% reporting a decline in work-life balance since the beginning of the pandemic.
Since many Gen Zers are just now entering the workforce and attempting to establish themselves, the mass shift to remote working has made it harder for them to stand out.
On the other hand, older generations have already made their presence known in the workplace and developed relationships with their coworkers. Gen Zers have not had the same opportunities.