From Loyalty to Flexibility: Differences in Work-Life Balance Perceptions among Generation X and Generation Z Teachers
Dari Loyalitas ke Fleksibilitas: Perbedaan Persepsi Keseimbangan Kehidupan dan Pekerjaan antara Guru Generasi X dan Generasi Z
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.36526/santhet.v10i5.7753Keywords:
Work Life Balance, Teachers' Perspective, Loyalty and Flexibility, Generation X, Generation YAbstract
This study aims to explore how Generation X and Generation Z teachers perceive work-life balance within the context of their professional roles. Work-life balance has become an increasingly important issue in the teaching profession due to high job demands and moral responsibilities. A qualitative approach with a phenomenological design was employed to gain an in-depth understanding of participants’ subjective experiences. The participants consisted of two teachers representing Generation X and Generation Z, selected through purposive sampling. Data were collected through semi-structured in-depth interviews and analyzed using thematic analysis following Braun and Clarke (2006). The findings reveal five main themes: work-related challenges, social experiences in the workplace, intergenerational perceptions, factors influencing work-life balance, and work orientation. Generation X teachers tend to construct work-life balance through values of loyalty, reflected in their emphasis on social support, commitment, and a sense of calling in their profession. In contrast, Generation Z teachers prioritize flexibility, as shown through the importance of personal boundaries, adaptive work management, and financial demands in achieving balance between work and personal life. These findings illustrate a shift from loyalty to flexibility in how work-life balance is understood across generations. This study contributes to the literature by highlighting generational differences in work-life balance within the teaching profession and underscores the importance of developing adaptive work environments that accommodate diverse generational needs.
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