During the time when jobs were scarce and potential employees could pick and choose from great opportunities, some employers had to offer benefits to lure and retain them. In Silicon Valley, they had to ultimately establish a “no poaching” guideline so that companies didn’t keep stealing from each other. But companies would seem to continue to outdo each other with benefits, resources, programs, activities, flexible, work schedules, etc. So in some cases, it became a benchmark to measure against. When the medical software company “epic” was started (by a female) outside of Madison Wisconsin, it was described as “Googlesque” in its campus, layout, programs and benefits, and attention to work life balance needs.
With a good work- life balance, in many cases, companies can retain employees, particularly, likely, female employees, so that they don’t lose them and have them re-enter the workforce down the road. I personally think this is a good thing. But to think that the younger generation now is “lazier“ I think is misguided and misunderstood. They may just have their priorities balanced in a different way. Also, most companies no longer offer great retention resources like pensions, etc. so there may be less incentive to stay with one company if the benefits don’t outweigh the challenges. All food for thought.