The so-called Generation Y - those born after 1982 - expect more employee benefits than older workers and value salary more highly than corporate social responsibility, according to a survey by recruitment specialist FreshMinds Talent.
The research found that Generation Y was generally more demanding than both Generation X (those born between 1964 and 1981) and the Baby Boomers (1946-1963) when it came to work perks.
The most important benefits were seen as a contributory pension scheme and flexible working (68%), while 50% thought sabbaticals were important and 28% pointed to discounted gym memberships and a signing-on bonus when joining the company.
The poll also went some way to disproving the notion that younger workers are preoccupied with a company's social and ethical policies. Generation Y would take a higher paid job over one with a focus on corporate and social responsibility, the study found, although they would be prepared to take a lower salary in return for flexible working hours, the ability to work from home and better training opportunities.
Four in 10 (41%) said the company they worked for said something about them and only 9% strongly disagreed with that statement, compared to 14% of Generation X and 23% of Baby Boomers.
But this empathy for a company did not filter through into loyalty, with 15% of Generation Y having already held four jobs; the same proportion as Generation X and the Baby Boom generation.
"There is a lot of speculation about how Generation Y differ from earlier generations, particularly in terms of how they relate to the working environment," said James Callander, managing director of FreshMinds Talent.
"Our research aimed to draw out both how the younger generation differs and where their attitudes are the same as their older peers. This is critical if employers are going to understand what is required to engage this group of people that represent the future of their businesses."
