An Exploratory Study into variations in Work-Life Balance between different Generations for Employees in the Irish Financial Services Sector.

Serviss, Michelle (2020) An Exploratory Study into variations in Work-Life Balance between different Generations for Employees in the Irish Financial Services Sector. Masters thesis, Dublin, National College of Ireland.

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Abstract

Work-life balance has become an important agenda item across society today. The topic has become extremely popular amongst various research specialists and Human Resource Professionals. The Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (CIPD) professional membership body for Human Resource Professionals has stated that while much has been researched and documented about the significance of work-life balance for the benefit of promoting work-life balance within organisations. Over the last number of years, organisations and HR professionals are still learning to manage the various needs and expectations of different generations. The current literature around work-life balance is focused on Generations X, with a lesser amount on Millennials. However, with Centennials having made an entrance into the workplace over the last few years, organisations are facing challenges in understanding the needs and motivations behind each generation in the workplace in order to successfully plan and implement effective initiatives that are applicable for each generation in obtaining a healthy work-life balance.

The aim of this study is to explore the variations of work-life balance between different Generations for Employees in the Irish Financial Services Sector with a purpose of understanding the lived experience, the range of workplace initiatives available and the motivations behind each generation in achieving a satisfactory level of work-life balance. The author conducted six semi structured interviews with participants from three generations. A thematic analysis was undertaken to identify a set of themes and subthemes.

The findings were clear in that they highlighted each Generation has a different perception of work-life balance and that one of the three Generations did not live their perception of work-life balance. The findings highlighted the initiatives available, yet not necessarily availed of within the Financial Sector indicating that there was some evidence of Neoliberalism. While each Generation were satisfied with their current work-life balance, Generation X appeared to be the most satisfied. Further research is recommended to delve deeper into work-life balance between Generations to ascertain if the views and experience are different because of the point in time of life each Generation is at or if their views and experiences are linked to Generational behaviours and values.

Item Type:	Thesis (Masters)
Subjects:	H Social Sciences > HD Industries. Land use. Labor > HD28 Management. Industrial Management > Human Resource Management H Social Sciences > HD Industries. Land use. Labor > Issues of Labour and Work > Quality of Work Life / Job Satisfaction
Divisions:	School of Business > Master of Arts in Human Resource Management
Depositing User:	Dan English
Date Deposited:	03 Feb 2021 17:09
Last Modified:	03 Feb 2021 17:09
URI:	https://norma.ncirl.ie/id/eprint/4636

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