A trend toward Work-Life Fusion: A multi-generational shift in technology use at work

In this coming year, there will be five generations co-existing in the work environment and we believe that how technology is utilized in both spheres of work and life is shifting with the advancements in technology. This study is designed to explore how certain technology patterns are shifting the relationship between work and life spheres and results show that the spheres are becoming fused. A scale is developed and used as a resource to explore the impact that using certain technologies at work has on Work-Life Balance Satisfaction, Job Satisfaction, and Psychological Job Control. In this paper, Work-Life Fusion is defined as the concurrent management of work and life demands while at work. Multi-group analysis across generations surfaces clear indications of a shift to a fused approach toward work and life management especially in younger cohorts (Millennials). Findings from this study would have implications for leaders and managers, as this increasingly diverse workforce would extend what we have come to know as Work-Life balance to what we call Work-Life Fusion.