Who wants flexible working?
The latest volume of the 2008 Working Nation Report, published today, reveals that the younger generation just entering the workforce, Generation Y, seems at first sight to be less keen on flexible working than popularly assumed. The typical image of these ‘digital natives’ is that they are iconoclasts unwilling to fit into the routines and structures of the traditional workplace. However, the research conducted for Working Nation, revealed that these individuals do value hierarchy and are afraid of isolation and loneliness if they work from home. Both those interviewed in focus group sessions, and the wider responses to quantitative polling demonstrate a desire to learn from others further along in their careers, and welcome structures steps to progress. Perhaps less surprising was the finding that 56 per cent view the social aspects of work as the most important (after being paid!).
But what does this tell us about flexible working? Will it falter as these young people establish themselves in the workforce? The answer is probably not - for these reasons…
1) The research shows that as workers get older and take on a wider range of responsibilities, including families, then the importance of the social aspect of work declines, and the recognition of the utility of flexible working increases.
2) Generation Y is undoubtedly the most technically acculturated of any generation - and for them it is totally natural to use the tools at their disposal to work (and play) in ways the suit them. What we regard as cutting edge flexible working techniques may just be work.
3) But perhaps most importantly, it does come down to the definition of flexible working. For too many it is simple flexi-time, coming into work early and leaving early etc. For others it is ‘Working from home’. It is entirely natural that neither of these is of much interest to young people (or anyone) who want to be part of a real community of work. However, surely true flexible working is the ability to work when, where and with whom you want or need to, irrespective of geography. The community is therefore the important bit - not the physical location of the office. If anyone is likely to make this vision a reality it is Generation Y.