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This weekend, we’re celebrating the contributions of workers while (and I’m sorry to say this) also acknowledging the unofficial end of summer. Labor Day gives us one last chance to soak up the sun before the weather shifts and activities move indoors.
Throughout the holiday weekend, our focus should be on family, friends, and attending barbecues and pool parties with them – not on what’s waiting for us at the office on Tuesday. Yet, many of us will still sneak a peek at work emails or take a quick call to coordinate next week’s important meeting.
Is that really such a bad thing?
We’ve been told to maintain a strict work-life balance for years, keeping our professional and personal lives separate. Does advice like “Don’t bring work home” and “Don’t mix your personal life with your job” sound familiar?
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| All that’s easier said than done, especially these days. I’ve never found it easy to “forget” about work or home life. I talk and think about both regardless of my location. The challenge isn’t about a balance between the two; it’s about finding a way to make them work together.
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Work-life integration
The nature of our relationship to work came up during a business meeting with Dr. George Everly, a renowned author and psychologist at the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health. He and I recently collaborated on a book (more on that below), and he continues to advise 1-800-Flowers.com as part of its Connectivity Council.
As is often the case in my meetings with Dr. Everly, this conversation touched on a lot of subjects, some personal and some professional. Eventually, we started talking about “work-life balance” and he opined that the world should instead be thinking about work-life integration.
He pointed out that the constant flow of information and the maturation of remote technologies, especially post-pandemic, have reshaped our professional and personal lives. These worlds are now more interconnected, and both gain from this increased accessibility. He explained:
“This new reality blurs the lines between work and personal life, creating a perfect storm in some ways. The traditional idea of work-life balance, which allowed for clearer boundaries, is becoming less feasible.
“We have entered a new era. The idea of work-life balance, which was characteristic of previous generations, may not fit the demands of the current economy.”
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A generational change
Dr. Everly noted that it’s not just business needs that have evolved. Workers’ needs and expectations at the workplace have transformed, too.
In recent years, our offices have welcomed a wave of younger workers – likely a trend you’re noticing, too. Millennials (born between 1981 and 1996) now represent the largest share of the U.S. workforce, at 38%.
Unlike earlier generations who often equated success with long hours and constant availability, today’s young professionals prefer seeking jobs that offer remote work options, flexible hours, and a culture that supports well-being. This likely stems from a desire to maintain mental and emotional well-being in the fast-paced and connected world in which they were born.
These conclusions were validated in a Worth magazine study of the most successful Millennials. It found that this generation in particular values experiences over material gains, often choosing career paths that allow them to blend personal passions with professional goals.
To meet the new needs of workers and companies, we need to be talking about how work and life can co-exist, co-mingle, and benefit from each other.
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Integration in action
This evolution may not be easy for everyone to grasp. It requires employees and managers, particularly older ones, to rethink their existing perceptions about life inside and outside the office. It involves resetting long-established boundaries and demands discipline and planning.
And it’s important to point out that work-life integration does not mean obsessing over a project at home at the expense of family time or, on the flip side, canceling a day’s worth of meetings to run errands. Integration is about finding the right mix that works for bosses and employees.
As Dr. Everly emphasized, managers play an especially critical role in bridging the gap between work-life balance and work-life integration, guiding employees through the demands of a world that never switches off. Research shows that poor leadership can quickly turn “integration” into burnout.
As we celebrate a holiday dedicated to honoring workers, it’s important to recognize the evolving nature of work itself. This weekend isn’t just a celebration of past achievements; it’s a reminder of the ongoing need to adapt to a world where work-life integration is becoming the new norm.
If done correctly, we pave the way for a healthier, more sustainable future for the workers and companies of today and tomorrow.
All the best,
Jim
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How can we ensure we're fostering workplace cultures that not only drive results but also support employees' well-being?
Since the pandemic, many businesses have struggled to rebuild and adapt their internal cultures. This is a critical concern as studies show that businesses aligning on purpose, strategy, and culture experience significantly more growth.
On this week's Celebrations Chatter, I had the pleasure of speaking with Dr. Jessica Kriegel, chief scientist of workplace culture at Culture Partners. Jessica reminds us that workplace culture goes beyond retreats, casual conversations, and snacks in the break room. It’s about crafting intentional experiences that promote balance, well-being, and productivity.
Together, we delve into her insights on organizational culture, including debunking generational myths on millennials, the importance of transparency, and why finding meaning in our work is essential.
Please watch the full episode and let me know how your workplace culture has changed in recent years at [email protected].
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Navigating workplace dynamics
Wherever you work, you’ll encounter a mix of personalities. Some people you’ll click with immediately and become friends. Others might take some time. On occasion, you’ll run into people who make your job very challenging.
My friend and coworker, Meredith, recently wrote an article on how to navigate difficult personalities at work. She outlines three types of people who can be especially toxic, ranging from nice people who are actually difficult to work with to office bullies.
Working with Dr. Everly, she outlined strategies for dealing with each personality. As they note, learning to manage the problem may be the key to creating a healthy workplace.
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Celebrating family for Harry & David’s 90th
Harry & David is known for its Royal Riviera® Pears, gift baskets and towers, and gourmet treats. Since it joined our family of brands in 2014, I’ve come to appreciate something that may be less apparent to our customers: The family-like culture at its headquarters in Medford, Oregon.
A key part of this culture is the longevity of its employees. Roughly 260 – or 20% – of Harry & David associates have been with the company at least 20 years. Several of these long-time employees work alongside actual family members!
Pamela Saxbury, a supervisor in the Western Shipping Department, is a case in point. Next month, she’ll celebrate her 44th anniversary with Harry & David. It’s also where her mother and grandmother worked. And it’s also where her son works! It’s so rare – and special – to have this many generations work at the same company.
It’s stories like Pamela’s that make Harry & David so special. I was delighted to sit down with her as part of the brand’s 90th anniversary celebration.
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Next Sunday is Grandparents Day!
For those of you who are a grandparent like me, next Sunday is one of the best days of the year because it’s Grandparents Day! I’ve written before how grandchildren are a grandparent's link to the future, while grandparents are a child's link to the past. As a proud grandfather, this rings true.
I’ve talked about what I experience every time I drive down Ocean Parkway on Long Island’s south shore — I’m reminded of my grandfather and the fishing trips we used to take along that same route years ago. For a moment, the excitement I felt as a child comes flooding back, even now as an adult.
That’s why it’s so meaningful to establish rituals between grandparents and grandkids. They could be existing ones that are handed down through generation, or new ones that might include making a video together, or a scrapbook and adding to it each year, or writing a journal together. These are a few of so many.
I’d love to hear from you about any rituals you have with your grandparents, or your grandchildren. I will include some of your stories in next week’s Celebrations Pulse.
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Related articles that caught my eye
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Written by our Founder and CEO, our Celebrations Pulse Sunday Letters aim to engage with our community. From sharing stories to welcoming your ideas, we want to help you to express, connect, and celebrate the important people in your life.
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This email was sent by: Cheryl's
646 McCorkle Blvd., Westerville, Ohio 43082 USA
800.443.8124
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