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Millennials have brought a different kind of vibe to the workplace. They are more tech savvy than their predecessors, and the way they view work and the structure of work is radically different. Where once they were seen as the young crop of newcomers, they are now the mature leaders of today. As they begin to lead us through the next few decades of our lives, here are four practices millennials have implemented into our work culture that made things better.

Work-Life Balance

Once upon a time, the harder you worked and sacrificed determined your success. People who didn’t want to work so hard were seen as lazy, but that kind of mentality doesn’t serve the working world anymore and it’s all because of millennials. Millennials were the first group to realize that having time with family and friends is just as important as being at work. When that balance is achieved, workers perform better and their productivity is higher. People also feel that they are better supported at home because they are more present at home helping out and being available. Both areas of a worker’s life are harmonious.

Remote Offices

The rat race was seen as the place to be if you were making moves and changing the world. Not so much anymore. With the growth of technology and virtual meetings, the average worker doesn’t have to wear themselves thin commuting for hours a day to do work they can do from home. The home office or the remote office is where many millennials thrive. Being in an environment of your own making helps keep a person focused and without commuting, a lot of people work earlier and faster and their day can be freed up to relax, take care of errands, and curate a life where work doesn’t seem to dominate all. 

Stop Problems Before They Start

Many people would just let things slide in the office because they were afraid of upsetting the status quo. Not so much with millennials who aren’t afraid to put a stop to things that are just out right wrong. Associations like the Whistleblower Info Center were created because more people are speaking up more than ever about illegal activities or activities that are a detriment to those who do work hard. Millennials have set the precedent for self-respect and promoting a healthy work space.

Quality of Life

The workforce used to put quality of life second, but millennials have changed that conversation. Quality of life has now become the top priority in the working world. When people apply for jobs or consider job offers, quality of life is always the number one question asked in interviews. Millennials want to know how easy it is to take time off for mental health relief and rest. Are hours flexible so that when life issues arise they can be tended to? Millennials know that work cannot rule their lives and that when they feel they are seen and appreciated they can perform better.