By Aleigha General
Aleigha General
Every year as May exams come to a close followed by June leaving ceremonies, the Cayman Islands sees thousands of its students leave school and enter the work force – some temporarily, others permanently.
Regardless of whether these young people are taking on summer internships or full-time roles, they must grapple with the change of expectations and environment.
Learning how to budget a new monthly or bi-weekly pay cheque, as well as execute their roles at work to an acceptable degree, whilst also juggling the responsibilities of their home lives and personal relationships, is no easy feat. Even seasoned working professionals find it difficult to draw the line between work and home. So, with all these added complications, how does Cayman’s youth see the separation of work lives and homes lives and how does it influence their daily activities?
The concept of a work-life balance is not entirely foreign in the modern age. It is most associated with the millennial generation, who pushed for a change within the workplace. No longer willing to work long hours for menial compensation, and with little-to-no mental health support, they began demanding better working experiences and boundaries in the workplace, eventually leading to a global phenomenon that we know as work-life balance. But just how attainable is said balance within an environment of ever-rising living costs?
Personal time
The overwhelming consensus from young Caymanians who spoke of their experiences is that, while they do highly value their personal time, it isn’t always as easy or as attainable as they’d like, which some perceive as a hallmark of that school-to-work transition, whilst others see it as a failure of social norms and expectations.
Upon speaking to one young Caymanian about his experience trying to maintain a healthy work-life balance, he noted how difficult it can be, firstly, to find the time to participate in activities outside of work and, secondly, to find the funds for said activities on top of other bills and costs. He is not alone is his sentiments; one of the primary roadblocks that Caymanians, in general, face when pursuing a life outside of their work, is the cost of extracurricular activities, which often put a strain on salaries, especially in entry-level positions.
Even those who have been part of the workforce for more than a decade find it difficult to save money and put it towards activities that bring them happiness.
Another young man and young woman who are government summer interns said that while they loved their work and considered themselves lucky to be where they were, the end of the workday does not leave much time or energy to realistically prepare for the next day, let alone catch up with friends.
The young woman discussed how crucial it is for her to maintain her family and friendships, especially during the summer, but that isn’t always possible due to time constraints and other people’s responsibilities. Many households in the Cayman Islands are also multi-generational, resulting in added expectations for young Caymanians to support the family socially and economically.
The young man explained that rest and personal time are crucial to efficiency, happiness and productivity, painting the picture that personal wellbeing and professional performance are inextricably linked. For him, it is difficult to switch gears between work and relaxation in a way that doesn’t cause the other to suffer.
Burnout
Often, high-achieving young people are taught to channel their boredom into their work and push through task after task, which can quickly lead to burnout and even greater losses. This is particularly dangerous when, hoping to be noticed by their employers and rewarded for their efforts, young people push themselves to take on too many responsibilities and are spread too thin, to the detriment of their social lives. This can be a major disappointment for those returning from overseas, who often find that transition incredibly difficult.
All these factors emphasise just how intertwined the wellbeing of young people is with the workplace and their understanding of balance. With this in mind, how can young people’s work-life balance be supported socially and in their interpersonal relationships?
One person expressed the need for increased wages and implemented rest times during the workday outside of lunch hour. Another suggested that older members of the community, who may be accustomed to less-accommodating work environments, take the time to speak with young people about the conflicts they face in their lives, and offer support and advice.
The implementation of more well-rounded ‘third spaces’ in Cayman is also a topic being discussed. While youth clubs do exist across the islands, they often have limited space, activities and food facilities that would cement them as an affordable, consistent place of relaxation for a wide range of young people, not just secondary school students and younger.
Young people are encouraged to be the future of the Cayman Islands – to take part in and appreciate the culture, to represent the country at given opportunities and to take up the mantle of leading Cayman into the next season. But who has time to change the world and prepare for the future when the day seems to slip away in the blink of an eye?
