In the grand narrative of work and workforce choices, it’s often the young and ambitious who are credited with driving change. For decades, they have spearheaded revolutions in the way we work, challenging traditional structures and seeking more flexibility in their careers.
While the younger generations have been at the forefront of the gig economy, remote work, quiet quitting and work-life balance discussions, it’s our older generations who are now embracing the concept of more flexible work to support their desired lifestyles. A report released this week by Amazon, Lonergan Research and demographer Bernard Salt got me excited. It provided real data on the shift I have observed occurring in pre-retirees, pointing out that the way we work has fundamentally changed for Australians across all demographics, but especially for those aged 55 to 69 years.
The workforce shortage, ageism and the desire to live better, and longer, have made it more obvious that the traditional work model is no longer sustainable or fulfilling for a significant portion of the workforce. The life-flex movement places a premium on quality over quantity. It encourages people to prioritise pursuits that bring them fulfilment and joy while still contributing to society and the economy. It’s about striking a harmonious balance between leisure, family, hobbies, and meaningful work.