Work-Life Balance in Focus

Insights from the Next Generation of Young Leaders

In this series on the lessons learned from the AIHM Employer Forum 2024, we’ve already covered two of the biggest motivating factors for the next generation of young leaders: an embrace of Individuality and Value-alignment. The emerging generation seek employers who recognise strength in diversity and support them in uniting their individual talents and identities with company visions. More than ever before, new graduates are focused on the values of the brands they’re exploring as potential employers, and they are specifically looking for brands whose values and worldviews align with their own.

Individual values vary from person to person. Even when many values are shared, each person will prioritise values to different degrees. Some of the values frequently mentioned by student participants in the AIHM Forum events are focuses on Sustainability as well as Diversity and Inclusion. Another value—one strongly shaped by the unique life experiences of Generation Z in particular—is an insistence on a healthy Work-Life Balance.

What Are Your Top Values in Life?

Think about the most important things in your life. Don’t give us your ‘job interview’ answer. Don’t try to strategically craft an answer for a hypothetical listener. Be fully honest. What really matters to you?

We asked participants at AIHM Employer Forum to vote on their top values in life, and this is what they told us.

Notice that “Family/Friends” and “Health” came out on top as most important. Is this similar to your answers?

The Need for a Healthy Work-Life Balance

As employers and recruiters know, roles in the hospitality industry can often present challenges to maintaining an appropriate work-life balance. This has been an issue for years. The next generation—in what should be seen as an example of inspiring maturity—boldly challenge this status quo. This generation is willing to work hard, but they also insist on prioritising their health and families in the process.

Students graduating now have seen the way working environments were radically reimagined during and in the aftermath of the Covid-19 pandemic. They know it’s possible for employers to allow their team members to contribute greatly to their company while also letting people give attention to their personal and family lives.

They’ve seen the emergence of widespread remote work, hybrid working environments and other non-traditional set-ups. They’ve studied in such environments themselves and may have even had their very first work experiences within them. Today’s young people understand it’s possible to have individual wellbeing and career success simultaneously. They don’t feel tied to old models or employment bad practices “just because”. They also understand that opportunities are not only possible; they’re available. Give them the chance to have a life that meets their needs, and they’ll be a valued team member.

Inspiring Words from the Emerging Leaders

Win Myatt Myatt ‘Bea’ Phyo summed up the admirably forthright perspective many of her fellow peers share. “I need to have a good work-life balance,” she said. “The thing that would stop me from wanting to work for a company would be not having that. As much as a company cares for its profit or revenue, you should be able to still care about your employees’ wellbeing and their mental health. You should understand their priorities as well.” Given that family and health are the top priorities for most people—and that today’s graduates have seen the ways that society can radically alter itself to prioritise the most important things in life—it’s vital for employers to understand the sea-change that is taking place.

The youngest generation have glimpsed a reality in which we can take care of our health, give attention to our loved ones and take care of our work responsibilities with relative seamlessness. They know it’s a viable possibility, and they’ve made it clear that this is the way of the future.

Student Panel: Voices from the Next Generation

Have you watched discussions during the AIHM Employer Forum 2024? Learn from AIHM’s students as they discuss their career aspirations, personal values and what they look for in a future employer.

Academic Perspectives

Browse the suggested readings below from AIHM expert and facilitator of learning, Dr. Yuth Thongcharoen, to learn more about what scholars have to say about the next generation’s desire for true work-life balance.

Farrell, L., & Hurt, A. C. (2014). Training the Millennial generation: Implications for organizational climate. E Journal of Organizational Learning & Leadership, 12(1), 47- 60. Retrieved from http://www.leadintoday.org/weleadinlearning/spri ng2014/Spring_2014_Farrell.pdf

Ferguson, A., & Morton-Huddleston, W. (2016). Recruiting and retaining the next generation of financial management professionals. The Journal of Government Financial Management, 65(2), 46-52. https://www.agacgfm.org/Research-Publications/Journal-of-Government- Financial-Management.aspx

Meng, J., Reber, B. H., & Rogers, H. (2017). Managing millennial communication professionals: Connecting generation attributes, leadership development, and 147 employee engagement. Acta Prosperitatis, 8, 68-83, 119. https://www.turiba.lv/storage/files/8-acta.pdf#page=69

Ruiz, Candace & Davis, Anne. (2017). Strategies to Retain Millennial Employees at Full-Service Restaurants. International Journal of Applied Management and Technology. 16. 10.5590/IJAMT.2017.16.1.11.

Build Relationships with the Stars of Tomorrow

How are the next generation of hoteliers changing the industry for the better? What challenges and opportunities do employers need to be aware of as they build the teams of tomorrow? If you’re an employer looking to build relationships with some of the brightest young hoteliers, we would be happy to connect with you.

Samantha Lauver-Marion

Director of Global Partnerships
AIHM & Minor Education