Changing Relationships to Work

The adoption of artificial intelligence (AI) and other technological shifts continues to blur the lines between remote work and leisure, a trend that began during the COVID-19 pandemic. The growing popularity of "workcations" and "bleisure" suggests that work and personal life may increasingly overlap. Individuals may find themselves in a continuous state of working while traveling. Some countries are pushing back against this trend; among others, Australia enacted a "right to disconnect" law for workers in August 2024. The boundaries between work and play could continue to dissolve, reshaping how we think about both.

This also comes at a time, however, when people are increasingly distancing themselves from their jobs as the primary facet of their identity. While traditional American work culture emphasizes long hours and minimal vacation or paid leave, a 2023 Pew Research Center study found a new trend: only four in 10 U.S. workers see their job as central to their overall identity, and for more than a quarter, their job doesn't define who they are. While work may remain important for personal well-being, people's relationships to their jobs are shifting.

Alongside this trend could come a shift in people's attitudes towards leisure. If individuals use their free time to pursue personal projects or passions, leisure could replace work as a primary focus in life. Research shows that Americans who don't have enough free time experience lower well-being than those who have enough. Data from Europe indicates that longer work hours negatively impact both happiness and health, suggesting that a shorter workweek could enhance overall life satisfaction. The same is true in the U.S., where 79 percent of workers said they would feel happier if they worked a four-day workweek and 81 percent believed they would be just as productive.

Furthermore, the percentage of Americans older than 65 is expected to rise to 23 percent by 2025. These current and future retirees increasingly seek to make the most of their "new chapter in life" with new hobbies, travel opportunities, and meaningful leisure activities to enrich their lives. This could offer new opportunities for planners to engage people in planning processes and projects, as more individuals may seek fulfillment outside of work through active participation in their communities.