The Lattice Group is a 501(c)3 non-profit that conducts research and sparks dialogue about work-life issues from a Gen Y perspective. Our goal is to create a discussion so that young people will consider the issues of work-life conflicts in their own lives and communities and begin to think actively, and creatively, about alternatives to the “ladder” status quo.
The traditional “corporate ladder” entails a straight upward climb. If you don’t ascend, you stagnate or descend. We think this metaphor is outdated. Instead, our goal is to promote lattice rather than ladder careers. A latticework weaves in all directions. This means that you can keep climbing the lattice without having to go up on a pre-determined track: climb up, climb right, climb left, but always keep climbing. It means a more flexible career progression.
Even better, we promote what we call a Lattice Lifestyle. Take the idea of the lattice and apply it to the way you live all aspects of your life. Maybe you can’t have everything you want at the same time, but on a lattice there is room to move around and reach different goals at different times. It’s more realistic, more creative, and more suited for the twenty-first century. Linear is out, lattice is in.
The Lattice Group website offers information about the realities of the current workplace (like: did you know that the U.S. is one of only four countries in the world that doesn’t guarantee paid parental leave?), blogs, interviews with professionals who made it work, essays, videos, and resources to help you start a dialogue with your friends and community.
We believe so-called work-life issues are issues that affect all Gen Y:ers. Thankfully, they’re also issues that can be addressed by taking a proactive stance early on.
