Your alarm goes off at 6 a.m. What’s the first thing you do?
If you’re like most, you turn over and grab your smartphone. You check social media, your text messages and inevitably your work email. Our constant use of technology, like laptops and smart phones, has led to 24/7 connectivity. Our work lives are quickly and steadily infiltrating our personal lives. While the goal is to disconnect at the end of the work day, we don’t. We really are working anytime, anywhere.
As someone who continually monitors workplace trends and discussions, I see the topic of work/life balance gaining momentum. We all fall victim to answering emails on the weekends, during vacation and after hours. And to be honest, many employers are starting to expect employees to be available during these times. But, employees are starting to push back with workplace expectations of their own.
We frequently work with companies in the tech industry. It’s safe to say that tech doesn’t follow the typical 9-5 office structure. Their business is unique; the rate of change and growth outpaces the average organization. “Normal” in their world means working long hours and weekends.